Investigators from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) have unveiled that the bison at Yellowstone National Park — the only population of American bison that has persistently lived as wildlife in the United States — now comprises a single expansive, interbreeding group arising from numerous historical bison herds.
Genetic population studies conducted merely 20 years ago discovered that Yellowstone bison populations maintained much of their historical mating patterns and were, in reality, two distinct herds inhabiting within the national park. Nevertheless, in a recent paper published in the Journal of Heredity, researchers from VMBS identified a shift in mating behavior within the park and now advise that Yellowstone bison ought to be overseen as one large interbreeding herd.
“This discovery undoubtedly influences the long-term preservation and stewardship of this legendary bison population,” stated Dr. James Derr, an educator in the VMBS’ Department of Veterinary Pathobiology (VTPB).
Bison like those found in Yellowstone once faced a population crisis referred to by conservationists as the “population bottleneck” of the 19th century. By the early 1900s, the numbers of American bison had plummeted by 99.9% throughout North America, leaving only 23 wild bison believed to have survived poaching in Yellowstone.
“In one of the most remarkable wildlife conservation achievements ever, a small group of domestic bison from western Montana and the Texas Panhandle was introduced in 1902 to existing animals in Yellowstone with the hope of establishing a stable and prosperous population in the world’s first national park,” remarked Derr.
Currently, the researchers from Texas A&M report that the Yellowstone bison population seems to operate as a single and genetically vibrant community that fluctuates between 4,000 and 6,000 individuals.
“There has been an ongoing discussion among conservationists regarding the most effective way to manage genetic diversity in Yellowstone bison,” explained Dr. Sam Stroupe, a VTPB postdoctoral researcher.
“To gain a more precise understanding, we analyzed samples from the two principal summer breeding groups and two primary winter ranges,” he stated. “These locations serve as expected areas for observing genetic divergence and overlap; nonetheless, Yellowstone bison today are distinctly recognized as one interbreeding herd.”
With the finalization of this study, management strategies can now rely on precise data about the breeding framework and overall genetic wellness of the population, ensuring the long-term viability of this emblematic bison herd.
The researchers are optimistic that this new data will assist Yellowstone’s bison conservation specialists as they continue to oversee and assess this flagship population of the U.S. national mammal.
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