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Reintroduction of Bison to Iowa, quick bison facts header

 

American Bison and calf, Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, Nebraska

Reintroduction of Bison to Iowa, call to action button

The reintroduction of bison on the largest, contiguous native prairie in Iowa is a celebration of the progress that the Conservancy has made in Iowa, with your help. Please support this ongoing, important program.

Bison History
The bison population was decimated in the 1800s to almost extinction. However, a handful survived and have served as the basis for our repopulation to areas where the “buffalo roamed.” More history.

Current Bison Population
Most bison are in private ownership. Many reside in our public parks and conservation areas. Where are the bison?

The Nature Conservancy Herds
The Conservancy has a rich but relatively brief history with bison. The first herd of 18 bison was acquired in 1984 at the Samuel H. Ordway Memorial Prairie in South Dakota. The Conservancy manages almost 5,000 bison at their eight preserves. Conservancy bison preserves.

Grasslands Worldwide
Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve is a globally unique landscape. By maintaining and restoring areas in the Loess Hills, the Conservancy and partners are conserving the least protected habitat on Earth, with only 2 percent of native grasslands remaining. Learn more about other grasslands around the world.

Bison at Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Oklahoma

Plains bison are the largest native herbivore on the contemporary Great Plains. Adult bulls weigh 1,800 to 2,000 pounds, with a shoulder height of 5.5 to 6.5 feet. Cows weigh around 1,000 pounds with a shoulder height of 4.5-5.5 feet. Both sexes have horns.

Adult bison consume more than 30 pounds of grass (air-dry weight) in a day.

Bison have poor eye sight, but are highly mobile with a keen sense of smell. They can run at speeds up to 35 miles an hour.

Bison can jump 6 feet vertically and more than 7 feet horizontally.

Bison are powerful swimmers, navigating with all but hump, muzzle, and top of the head submerged.

In wild herds, few animals reach old age (15-20 years), but in managed herds, bison regularly attain these ages.

Single calves are normally born in April to June, following a 9 ½ month gestation period. Bison rarely have twins.

Cows continue to breed into their 20s, while most successful breeding for bulls is done by those in the 6 to 10-year old age group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images (top to bottom, left to right): Bison at Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Oklahoma © Harvey Payne, American Bison and calf (Bison bison) in the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, Nebraska © Mark Godfrey