The exchange of just a few bison between herds every decade or so could slow the genetic deterioration of small herds, though that does not stop the genetic diversity problem. For that, said Cynthia Hartway, a conservation scientist at the Wildlife Conservation Society, the species needs more large herds like the one found at Yellowstone. Frozen embryos and in vitro fertilization could be another fix, although these solutions would exempt the existing herds from natural selection.
Native bison are threatened in another way—over the decades, many were bred with domestic cattle to produce a bison species with more meat and a docile behavior. A study using DNA markers found low amounts of cattle ancestry in conservation herds that were managed as pure bison herds.
Which brings us back to Yellowstone and the somewhat recent realization that the burly bison blocking traffic on the road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower Junction are more biologically important than the average tourist realizes: besides those bison there is only one other herd at a national park in South Dakota which researchers are reasonably confident is free of cattle ancestry.
For the future, continued conservation of the bison genetics that survived the 19th century, as well as protecting the opportunities for continuing wild bison evolution, remains a high priority for the ultimate recovery of the wild bison.
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Shop Gifts and Gear. Adopt an Animal. Give Through Your Will or Trust. Secondary Menu About. Get updates. Donate One-Time Donation. Monthly Donation. Phyllis Picardi. The American bison has a long and varied history in the United States. Bison are threatened by genetic diversity, human intolerance and habitat fragmentation and loss.
Endangered Species Act. Not Listed. Near Threatened. Appendix II. What You Can Do. Latin Name. News Image. Washington, DC. July 9, Especially exciting for Defenders of Wildlife and our conservation partners is the birth of two vital species. Bison Blog Posts Image. November 5, October 8, October 7, Publications Endangered Species Rewards. Related Issues Protecting Habitat. Coexisting with Bison. Coexistence Overview.
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