Bison Populations – Census

How many Bison do we have?

 Bison Populations

  • Summary of US Government Herds
    Foreign Countries  1908-1929  bottom of this page

 

  • YEARSOURCEU S ACANADAUS GOVTRIBALTOTAL
    1951Field Guide to Am. Wildlife. N. Y: Harper & Row.    Est 23,340
    1970Shaw and Meagher (plains bison)    30,000
    1996Canadian Bison Assoc 42,235   
    1997University of Wy107,266    
    2002USDA231,950 -privately owned    
    2007USDA198,234-privately owned    
    2008Gates Wood bison in 11 conservation herds  10,870
    2012USDA162,110 -privately owned125,142- privately owned   
    2016Statistics Canada 119,314-privately owned  N.Am. Est. 400k
     SOURCE NUMBERS   
    2017ICUNUS Government 17500  
    2017Canadian Bison Assoc 145,000 privately owned   
    2017Australian Bison Assoc 150 bulls and 350 cows -private Approx. 50 in zoos.EST 500   
    2017USDA Bison Census183,780 (Up 21,670 from 2012)183,780   
    2018LOCATION     
    2018 Yellowstone National Park (Aug)Northern (3,337) and central (1,190)EST 4,527   
    2018American Prairie Reserve (winter)Est. 833EST   833   
    2018Australian Bison Assoc 450 Private- 50 Zoos   
    2018Mexico (El Uno Ranch)140 Adults and 44 calves (Sept)Est 184   
    2022Canada Convention July 150,00079 %  in Sask. & Alberta  
    2022 British Columbia saw the largest increase 14,888 bison in B.Cincrease 128.9 %  
    2022 Tribal-Nov. Est 20,000   
    2023 American Prairie Reserve Est 850   
    2023      
    2023       
    •  


*Includes a few wild buffalo estimated as follows: 1889, 785; 1903, 34;1908, 25; 1910, 25; 1911, 25; 1912, 25; 1913, 49; 1914, 56—all in the Yellowstone National Park except 85 in 1889 scattered in five states and 5 in 1903 in Lost Park, Colo.
**Total in 7th Ann. Rept., Am. Bison Soc. shows 3,788. The discrepancy of 70 is possibly due to a misprint in the number of wild buffalo.

DateAuthorityUnited StatesCanada (captive)Canada (wild est.)Total
1889Wm. T. Hornaday541_ _ _5501.091
1903Frank Baker1003416001644
1908Wm. T. Hornaday11414763001917
1910Wm. P. Wharton10326264502108
1911Wm. P. Wharton13569544502760
1912Wm. P. Wharton131311444502917
1913Wm. P. Wharton170013034503453
1914Wm. P. Wharton169315754503,718 **
1916 2,305 -60 Wild27275005.592
1918 2,843 -70 Wild31235006466
1920 3,303 -90 Wild45805008473
1923 3,750 -125 Wild7579100012454
1926 4,251-125 Wild10457150016333
1929 3,285-100 Wild14969 18375
1936Am. Bison Soc.     22,000
U.S. Est.
  • /
    Bison Census- Bison Popualtions
    AW Hopkins herd Granville Ill cir 1912

     
  • Forest and Stream – June 1912
    Bison Society Annual Report (extract)

    The census of the pure-blooded bison in North America shows for 1911, 2,760 head against 2,108 in 1910. This census does not include some recent increase, for the Buffalo in captivity in Alberta are given as 954, while as a matter of fact they numbered in November 1,132. Again the Buffalo on the Montana range are given as fifty-one, while in September 1911, they were sixty-nine in number. Accompanying the census is an excellent outline map of the United States showing where The Buffalo still exist within our limits

    An interesting history of the Canadian movement in behalf of the Buffalo was prepared by the Canadian government at the request of the Bison Society by Fred H. Byshe, and E.H. Baynes has written of the Corbin herd, which is said to number eighty-five head.

  • WILL UPDATE AS NUMBERS COME IN

    •  
    • Bison Populations Today

      It’s reported that the Tribes have around 20,000.  Tribal Council  I reached out to the US Government for their tallies. The information for a public view is voluntary by owner/tribe.  I found a couple of thousand head owned by a couple of tribes and tribes that manage government herds. So, is the 20,000 head reported a combination of both Tribe and our government herds?. I asked this question to NASS (National Agricultural Statistics Service) and this was his response.

      “The Census of Agriculture is operation specific.  Bison are not counted by ownership but by location on farms.  Bison will be counted if they are on a farming or ranching operation and managed by that operation.  Bison would be excluded if they are free-ranging animals that are not managed by an operation.  A farming or ranching operation is defined by NASS as any operation with agricultural sales of $1000 or more or that would have normally had $1000 or more over the year. Government or Tribal animals could be counted by another operation if those animals were on the operation and managed by the operation during 2012.  How the government or tribal herds are managed will be a factor into those bison being counted on farms.”

    • /
    • Blackfeet Tribe,  more than 600 head as of Dec. 26, 2019
      CSKT-Montana, zero bison at this time. Dec. 30, 2019
      Fort Peck Reservation-350 animals published Dec 26, 2019
      Eastern Shoshone (Wind River) 33 head Oct 2019 (Neil Smith & NBR)
      Northern Arapaho (Wind River) 10 head Oct 2019 (from NBR)
      Seneca Nation 51 head Feb, 2021
      Standing Rock Lakota Feb 2021 600 head
    • /
    • /

For more information on Tribal bison herds please see “Tribal Buffalo

US 1916

U.S. Bison Population as of January 1st 1916MalesFemalesYoungTotal by StateGrand Total
ARIZONA     
Grand Canyon Game Preserve CJ Jones5931717
CALIFORNIA     
Los Angeles City Park(Loaned by Edward Maier)2 13 
San Francisco Golden Gate1113832 
Santa Ynez- J.H. Henry13 439
COLORADO     
Denver City Park99321 
Hayden T.M. Dawson24 6 
La Veta Pass—The Trinchera Co   About 150177
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA     
Smithsonian Institution5741616
GEORGIA     
Atlanta—Dept. of Parks11 22
ILLINOIS     
City of Chicago—Lincoln Park58114 
Granville—A. W. Hopkins222*5/6 
Rushville — Warren R. Leach21 3*22/23
INDIANA     
Nappanee—J. S. Walters11 22
IOWA     
Citv of Davenport—City Par29213 
City of Iowa Falls- City Park 2 2 
City of Keokuk—Rand Park11 2 
City of Keoka J. O. Singmaster & Son511622 
Spirit Lake—.John Reinhart513 1857
KANSAS     
City of Topeka—Park Department1315 
Citv of Wichita— City Park11 2 
Wichita—C. C. Cox11 29
KENTUCKY     
Junction City—Joe E. Wright 2 22
MAINE     
National Soldiers Home11 22
MARYLAND     
City of Baltimore Druid Hill Park3115 
Baltimore—Van Lear Block11 27
MASSACHUSETTES     
Auburndale, Norumbega Park Co11 2 
City of Boston —Zoological Garden11 *1/2 
Lexington —John T. Benson11 *1/2 
City of Springfield—Forest Park…1 2*4/3 
West Brookfield— Indian Rock Farm3  *5/3 
West Brookfield—H. F. Richardson212*6/5*19/17
MICHIGAN     
City of Detroit— Belle Isle Park1214 
Morley— De Motts Combined Shows12 *1/3*5/7
MISSOURI     
Kansas City — Homes Zoological18241456 
Arena     
Middletown—H. A. Stone1214 
City of St. Louis— Forest Park211464
MONTANA     
Butte Eleetrie Railway Co., Columbia Gardens32 5 
Kalispell— Estate of C. K. Conrad22301466 
Montana Natl. Bison Herd. U. S.536927149 
Government     
Ronan—Estate Michel PabloAbout 8-10 8228
NEBRASKA     
Crete— Anton Vavra12 3 
City of Lincoln—Antelope Park11 2 
City of Omaha— Board of Park-38 11 
Commissioner     
Valentine—Niobrara Reservation5511127
NEW HAMPSHIRE     
Newport— Blue Mountain Forest Assoc.43351189 
Tilton—William H. Moses11 291
NEW YORK     
Buffalo—Zoological Garden1  *2/1 
Chazy—W. H. Miner44 8 
New York City—Zoological Par149528 
New York City—Central Park14 5 
New York City— Prospect Park2  2 
Rochester—Seneca and Durand43 751
Eastman Parks     
NORTH CAROLINA     
Andrews—Geo. G. Moore34 77
OHIO     
Cincinnati—Zoological Garden75113 
Cleveland—City Park1  1 
South Newbury—W. B. Cleveland21 3 
Toledo—City Park21 320
OKLAHOMA     
Wichita Game Preserve, TJ. S. Government352210*62/67 
Bliss— Miller Bros. (101 Ranch)…528639 
Pawnee—Major G. W. Lillie9302463 
Sand Springs—City Park11 2*166/171
OREGON     
Pendleton —The Roundup1 111
PENNSLYVANIA     
Allen town — Harry C. Trexler68519 
Philadelphia — Zoological Garden47314 
Pittsburgh— Highland Park 2 235
SOUTH DAKOTA     
Fort Pierre—James Philip200300100600 
Hot Springs—Wind Cave Nations610 16616
Game Preserve     
TEXAS     
Goodnight—Charles Goodnight307265167167
UTAH     
Salt Lake City—John E. DooleyAbout 125 head 125125
WASHINGTON     
Seattle—Woodland Park Zoo4228 
Tacoma—Park Commissioners44 *7/6*15/14
WISCONSIN     
Milwaukee—City Park1 233
WYOMING     
Yellowstone National Park Herd909349232 
Yellowstone Park Wild HerdEst 60  60 
Thermopolis City Park212721313
GRAND TOTAL FOR UNITED STATES   *2281/2306*2305/2310

CANADA 1916

Canada Bison as of January 1st 1916MalesFemalesYoungTotal by Prov.Grand Total
ALBERTA     
Wainwright Buffalo Park Herd818827442*2077/2087
Lamont Elk Island Park13  13 
ATHABASCA4462 106*2196/2206
Wild or Wood BisonEst. 500  500500
BRITISH COLUMBIA     
Vancouver Board of Park Commissioners12 33
MANITOBA     
Winnipeg, Assiniboine Park821*6/11 
Brandon Inter-Provincial Fair11 2*8/13
ONTARIO     
Hamilton Park Commissioners53210 
St. Thomas Robert J. Miller11 2 
Toronto Riverdale Park12 315
QUEBEC     
Holt, Renfrew & Co., Ltd12255
Grand Total in Canada   2727*2727/2742

/

SUMMARY  JAN 1, 1916
Captive in United States 2,305
Captive in Canada *2,727/2742
Captive in North America 6,032
Wild in North America 560
Total Pure Blood Bison In North America 5,592
Captive in England *53/44
/

US 1918

U.S. Bison Pop. As of January 1st 1918MalesFemalesYoungTotal by StateGrand Total
CALIFORNIA     
Pasadena J. H. Henry13 4 
San Francisco-Golden Gate Park1015530 
COLORADO    34
Denver-City Park1011223 
La Veta Pass The Trinchera CoAbout 150 head 150173
District of Columbia     
Washington National Zoological Park5851818
GEORGIA     
Atlanta-Dep’t of Parks11 22
ILLINOIS     
Chicago-Lincoln Park49316 
Granville-A. W. Hopkins1214 
Rushville-Warren R. Leach132626
INDIANA     
Fort Wayne-J. H. Bass12 3 
Nappanee-J. S. Walters1  14
IOWA     
Davenport-City Park1528 
Iowa Falls-City Park1224 
Keokuk-Rand Park 1 1 
Keota-J. O. Singmaster28212 
Keota C. A. Singmaster16310 
Spirit Lake John Reinhart410 1449
KANSAS     
Topeka-Park Department2316 
Wichita City Park11 2 
Wichita-Park Salters1  1 
KENTUCKY     
Junction City-Joe E. Wright 2 22
MARYLAND     
Baltimore-Druid Hill Park42 66
MASSACHUSETTES     
Auburndale-Norumbega Park Co11 2 
Boston-Zoological Park1  1 
Springfield-Forest Park1315 
West Brookfield-Indian Rock Farm3317 
West Brookfield H. E. Richardson43 722
MICHIGAN     
Detroit-Belle Isle Park1315 
Oscoda Carl E. Schmidt11138
MINNESOTA     
Fairmount  Fairmount Park1  1 
St. Paul-Department of Parks21 34
MISSOURI     
Kansas City  Home’s Zoological Arena1523 38 
Middletown-H. A. Stone1  1 
St. Louis-Forest Park221544
MONTANA     
Butte Electric Railway Co., Columbia Gardens32 5 
Dixon-Montana National Bison Range798536200 
Kalispell-Mrs. C. E. Conrad17421473278
NEBRASKA     
Crete Anton Vavra13 4 
Lincoln-Antelope Park11 2 
Omaha-Board of Park Commissioners38 11 
Valentine-Niobrara Reservation4641431
NEW HAMPSHIRE     
Newport-Blue Mountain Forest Association46401096 
Tilton-William H. Moses1214100
NEW YORK     
Brooklyn-Prospect Park2  2 
Chazy-W. H. Miner48113 
New York City-Central Park1315 
New York City Zoological Park1512229 
Rochester-Seneca, Durand Eastman Parks42 655
NORTH CAROLINA     
Andrews-Geo. G. Moore34 77
OHIO     
Cincinnati-Zoological Gardens75214 
Cleveland City Park1  1 
Toledo-City Park11 217
OKLAHOMA     
Bliss-Miller Bros. (101 Ranch)219526 
Cache-Wichita National Game Preserve37391692 
Lawton-John A. Liberman1  1 
Oklahoma City Wheeler Park1  1 
Pawnee-Major G. W. Lillie2034963 
Sand Springs-City Park21 3186
OREGON     
Pendleton-The Roundup 1 11
PENNSYLVANIA     
Allentown-Harry C. Trexler1213631 
Philadelphia-Zoological Garden69 15 
Pittsburgh-Highland Park12 349
SOUTH DAKOTA     
Ashton-James Norwood13 4 
Custer County State Game2026349 
Hot Springs-Wind Cave National Game Preserve1115834 
Pierre-Estate of James Phillip200400100700787
TENNESSEE     
Memphis-Zoological Park2  22
TEXAS     
Goodnight-Charles Goodnight2413632192192
UTAH     
Salt Lake City-John E. DooleyAbout 300 head  300
WASHINGTON     
Seattle-Woodland Park Zoo33 6 
Tacoma-Park Commissioners432915
WISCONSIN     
Milwaukee-City Park23 55
WYOMING     
Thermopolis-Big Horn Hot Springs State Reserve214117 
Yellowstone National Park Tame Herd13913160330 
Yellowstone National Park, Wild HerdEst. 70  70417
TOTAL IN THE UNITED STATES    2843

US 1920

U.S. Bison Pop. as of  January 1st 1920MalesFemalesYoungTotal by StateGrand Total
CALIFORNIA     
Pasadena-J. H. Henry13 4 
San Francisco—-Golden Gate Park718530 
Santa Cruz-S. H. Cowell12 3 
COLORADO    37
Castle Rock-Richard Dillon   12 
Denver-Mountain Park813223 
Durkley-B. A. Dawson13 4 
Fort Garland-W. B. Turner607538173212
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA     
Washington  National Zoological Park8762121
GEORGIA     
Atlanta-Dep’t of Parks11 22
IDAHO     
Pocatello-S. M. Nixon25188
ILLINOIS     
Bloomington-Miller Park Zoo1  1 
Chicago-Lincoln Park710522 
Freeport-Freeport Zoo1  2 
Granville-A. W. Hopkins1  2 
Neponset-E. F. Norton1  1 
Paris-Reservoir Park1  2 
Rushville-Warren R. Leach2428 
Rockford-City Park Zoo1  139
INDIANA     
Fort Wayne-J. H. Bass1  11
IOWA     
Davenport-City Park2439 
Iowa Falls-City Park3  3 
Keokuk-Rand Park 1 1 
Keota-J. O. Singmaster19313 
Keota-C. A. Singmaster28111 
Laurens-H. L. Ryon11 2 
Spirit Lake John Reinhart4961958
KANSAS     
Topeka Gage Park2417 
Wichita City Park121411
KENTUCKY     
Junction City-Joe E. Wright 2 22
LOUISIANA     
New Orleans Dept . of Conservation11133
MARYLAND     
Baltimore-Druid Hill Park43 77
MASSACHUSETTES     
Auburndale Norumbega Park Co1  1 
Boston-Franklin Park Zoo12 3 
Springfield Dept of Park2327 
West Brookfield Indian Rock Farm63 9 
West Brookfield-H. E. Richardson43 727
MICHIGAN     
Detroit-Belle Isle Park24 6 
Oscoda Carl E. Schmidt11 28
MINNESOTA     
Hibbing Board of Park Commissioners12 3 
St. Paul-Department of Parks12 36
MISSOURI     
St. Louis-Forest Park33 66
MONTANA     
Butte-Electric Railway Co.,Columbia Gardens3115 
Moise-Montana National Bison Range11312956298 
Kalispell-Mrs. C. E. Conrad1253873376
NEBRASKA     
Crete Anton Vavra2114 
Lincoln-Antelope Park11 2 
Omaha-Dept of Park Commissioners37111 
Valentine-Niobrara Reservation41342138
NEW HAMPSHIRE     
Newport-Blue Mountain Forest Association1222943 
Tilton-William H. Moses 2 245
NEW YORK     
Brooklyn-Prospect Park1  1 
Chazy-W. H. Miner56 11 
New York City-Central Park13 4 
New York City Zoological Park136 19 
Rochester-Seneca, Durand Eastman Parks321641
NORTH CAROLINA     
Andrews-Geo. G. Moore34 7 
Asheville-Pisgah National Forest312613
NORTH DAKOTA     
Fort Totten-Sullys Hill Nat’l Park24177
OHIO     
Burton-W. B. Cleveland21 3 
Cincinnati-Zoological Gardens76114 
Cleveland City Park1  1 
Toledo-City Park11 220
OKLAHOMA     
Bliss-Miller Bros. (101 Ranch)7451062 
Cache-Wichita National Game Preserve435620119 
Oklahoma City-State Game Preserve215724 
Oklahoma City Wheeler Park11 2 
Pawnee-Major G. W. Lillie27421584 
Sand Springs-City Park11 2 
Sulphur-Platt National Park12 3296
OREGON     
Pendleton-The Roundup 1 1 
Portland-Washington Park22 45
PENNSYLVANIA     
Allentown-Harry C. Trexler13281051 
Philadelphia-Zoological Garden89118 
Pittsburgh-Highland Park13 473
SOUTH DAKOTA     
Ashton-James Norwood13 4 
Custer County  State Game2026349 
Hot Springs-Wind Cave National Game Preserve1115834 
Pierre-Estate of James Phillip200400100700787
TENNESSEE     
Memphis-Overton Park Zoo21 33
TEXAS     
El Paso-City Park12 3 
El Paso- E & R.E.McKenzie1228848 
Goodnight-Charles Goodnight1911523157 
Hartle- Geo. T. Reynolds24 6 
Kent – Rock Pile Ranch14 5 
Stamford – V. Colbert & Son37111230
UTAH     
Salt Lake City-John E. DooleyAbt 300 head  300
WASHINGTON     
Seattle-Woodland Park Zoo23 5 
Spokane-City Park22 4 
Tacoma-Park Commissioners4511019
WISCONSIN     
Madison Dr. Corydon Dwight11 2 
Milwaukee-Washington Park Zoo13157
WYOMING     
Cheyenne-Charles Irwin2  2 
Padlock Ranch Lee Simonsen14 5 
Thermopolis-Big Horn Hot Springs State Reserve13 4 
Worland-State Reserve28 10 
Yellowstone National Park Tame Herd18014983412 
Yellowstone National Park, Wild HerdEst 90  90523
TOTAL IN THE UNITED STATES    3393

CANADA 1920

 Canada Bison Pop. as of January 1st 1920MalesFemalesYoungTotal by Prov.Grand Total
ALBERTA     
Banff Banff National Park6  6 
Lamont Elk Island Park8210020202 
Wainwright Buffalo Park Herd1725179581543354543
ATHABASCA     
Wild or Wood BisonEst. 500  500500
BRITISH COLUMBIA     
Vancouver Board of Park Commissioners13 44
MANITOBA     
Brandon Inter-Provincial Fair13 4 
Winnipeg, Assiniboine Park321610
ONTARIO     
Hamilton Park Commissioners55 10 
London Arthur A. H. Keene1214 
St. Thomas Robert J. Miller11 2 
Toronto—Riverdale Park22 420
QUEBEC     
Anticosti Island Administration12 33
Grand Total in Canada    5080
      

US 1923

U.S.Bison Pop. As of January 1st 1923MalesFemalesYoungTotal by StateGrand Total
ALABAMA     
Birmingham-City Park Zoo1   1
ARIZONA     
Fredonia- Jim Owens3438108282
ARKANSAS     
Siloam Springs – I.N.Bradield1  11
CALIFORNIA     
Santa Cruz-S. H. Cowell2316 
San Diego – City Park13 4 
San Francisco-Golden Gate Park97723 
San Simeon -W.R. Hearst2529 
Santa Ynez – Armour & Williams131547
COLORADO     
Denver-Mountain Park413 17 
Fort Garland-W. B. TurnerEst 110  110 
Sedalia – Richard Dillion15 6133
DELAWARE     
Wilmington City Park Zoo1  11
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA     
Washington  National Zoological Park4821414
GEORGIA     
Atlanta-Grant Park Zoo11 22
IDAHO     
Pocatello Nixon Trust Estate27 99
ILLINOIS     
Aurora Cotu Park Zoo11 2 
Chicago-Lincoln Park38314 
Elgin City Park1  1 
Granville-A. W. Hopkins211421
INDIANA     
Fort Wayne-John H. Bass1  1 
Lafayette Columbia Park12 34
IOWA     
Charles City City Park Zoo11 2 
Davenport-Dept of Parks45110 
Keota-C. A. Singmaster29516 
Keota-J. O. Singmaster27211 
Sioux City Stone Park43 7 
Spirit Lake  John Reinhart431854
KANSAS     
Hays Fort Hays Kansas Manual School12 3 
Topeka-Dept of Parks2215 
Wichita Dept of Parks13 412
KENTUCKY     
Junction City-Joe E. Wright 1 11
LOUISIANA     
New Orleans-Dept . of Conservation1  11
MARYLAND     
Baltimore-Druid Hill Park31155
MASSACHUSETTES     
Boston-Franklin Park Zoo1214 
Springfield-Dept of Park22 4 
West Brookfield—H. E. Richardson2215 
West Brookfield-Indian Rock Farm431821
MICHIGAN     
Detroit-Dept of Parks2417 
Grand Rapids City Park Zoo1  1 
Oscoda Carl E. Schmidt11 210
MINNESOTA     
Hibbing-Board of Park Commissioners12 3 
St. Paul-Department of Parks12 36
MISSOURI     
Lake City Rest Island Silver Fox Co11 2 
Little Falls City Park Zoo1  1 
Canby John Landgraf22 4 
Hibbing-Department of Parks2215 
Mankato City Park Zoo11 2 
Redwood Falls Marion Johnson1  1 
Rochester City Park Zoo1  1 
St Paul Dept of Parks111319
MISSISSIPPI     
Jackson Livingston Park11 22
MISSOURI     
Joplin-City Park Zoo1  1 
Mexico-City Park Zoo1214 
Springfield-City Park Zoo11 2 
St Joseph-City Park Zoo1  1 
St Louis Forest park2327 
MONTANA     
Butte-Columbia Gardens31 4 
Kalispell-City Park11 2 
Miles City – C.H. Mott1214 
Moise-Montana National Bison Range18120375459 
Wallis -Wallis Huidekoper1214473
NEBRASKA     
Crete-Anton Vavra11 2 
Lincoln-Antelope Park 1 1 
Omaha-Dept of Park Commissioners47213 
Valentine-Niobrara Reservation112554157
NEVADA     
Tyson Bean15288
NEW HAMPSHIRE     
Newport-Blue Mountain Forest Association8752020
NEW JERSEY     
Alloway – Reeves Timberman1113 
Grenloch – Louis Weber22 4 
Trenton – Cadwalader Park11 29
NEW MEXICO     
Fort Sumner – EW & RE McKenzie163265454
NEW YORK     
Buffalo – Delaware Park Zoo1214 
New York City-Central Park1214 
New York City Zoological Park74112 
Chazy – W H Miner74112 
Rochester-Seneca, Durand Eastman Parks4421042
NORTH CAROLINA     
Andrews-Geo. G. Moore23 5 
Asheville-Pisgah National Forest22 4 
High Point – J Allen Austin21 312
NORTH DAKOTA     
Fort Totten-Sullys Hill Nat’l Park5511111
OHIO     
Burton-W. B. Cleveland2 13 
Cincinnati-Zoological Gardens55212 
Cleveland City Park1  1 
Toledo-City Park13 420
OKLAHOMA     
Cache-Wichita National Game Preserve597017146 
Fort Gibson – G A Smith43 7 
Oklahoma City-State Game Preserve1317131 
Oklahoma City Wheeler Park2114 
Marland Miller Bros. (101 Ranch)125 26 
Muskogee – City Park1    
Sand Springs-City Park11 2 
Sulphur-Platt National Park1113 
Pawnee-Major G. W. Lillie228232 
Stillwater – M J Otey21 3256
OREGON     
Portland-Washington Park-24 66
PENNSYLVANIA     
Allentown-Harry C. Trexler27441485 
Philadelphia-Zoological Garden610117 
Pittsburgh-Highland Park1517 
Scranton – Zoological Society1  1110
SOUTH DAKOTA     
Fairburn -State Game Preserve2436767 
Hot Springs-Wind Cave National Game Preserve31392292 
Pierre-Estate of James Phillip4003501408904
Sioux Falls – City Park22 41053
TENNSEESE     
Memphis-Overton Park Zoo21 3 
Nashville – Glendale park1  14
TEXAS     
College Station- A & M College Tx Zoo2  2 
El Paso-City Park1214 
Ft Worth Park Dept1214 
Goodnight-W J McCallister2014036196 
Hartle– Geo. T. Reynolds47 11 
Houston – City Park Zoo1  1 
Kent – Rock Pile Ranch3317 
Stamford – V. Colbert & Son515626251
UTAH     
Salt Lake City-City Park11 2 
Antelope Island John E. DooleyEst 225 head   227
WASHINGTON     
Everette-City Park11 2 
Spokane-City Park22 4 
Tacoma-Metropolitan Park36413 
Yakima – Gibson Brothers122964766
WISCONSIN     
Chippewa Falls – Chippewa Falls Park2417 
Madison Dr. Corydon Dwight1326 
Milwaukee-Washington Park Zoo152821
WYOMING     
Careyhurst – J M Carey Brothers Inc29314 
Gillette – R B Marquiss11 2 
Sheridan – Pioneer Park Zoo1214 
Thermopolis – L F Thornton12 3 
Yellowstone National Park Tame Herd26822782557 
Yellowstone National Park, Wild HerdEst. 125  125725
TOTAL IN THE UNITED STATES    3875

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Nine Buffalo Preserves Jan 21, 1923
The United States Government and private interests also have done much to save these wonderful creatures from extermination. The government now owns nine buffalo preserves, the largest herd, about 600 head, being in the Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. The Montana bison range has about 400 head and is the second largest. This preserve was established by the American Bison Society, which placed 40 head there originally. A substantial increase for the Wichita National For

CANADA 1923

Canada Bison as of January 1st 1923MalesFemalesYoungTotal by Prov.Grand Total
ALBERTA     
Banff Banff National Park85316 
Lamont Elk Island Park12516730322 
Wainwright Buffalo Park Herd30733073107572217559
ATHABASCA     
Wild or Wood BisonEst. 1000  10001000
BRITISH COLUMBIA     
MANITOBA     
Brandon Inter-Provincial Fair1225 
Winnipeg, Assiniboine Park221510
ONTARIO     
London—City Park22 4 
St. Thomas Zoological Park11 2 
St. Thomas Robert J. Miller11 2 
Toronto Zoological Gardens 2 210
Grand Total in Canada    8579
      

US 1926

U.S. Bison as of January 1st 1926MalesFemalesYoungTotal by StateGrand Total
ALABAMA     
Birmingham-City Park Zoo1   1
ARIZONA     
Fredonia- Jim Owens314098080
ARKANSAS     
Little Rock – Littel Rock Zoo12 3 
Siloam Springs – I.N.Bradield12 36
CALIFORNIA     
Cajou – Los Angeles County11 2 
Los Angeles – E H Stephens   10 
San Francisco Golden Gate Park11121033 
San Louis Oburpo -W.R. Hearst713727 
Santa Cruz-S. H. Crowell   6 
Santa Ynez – Armour Ranch Co22 4 
Visalia – Tulare County Park11 284
COLORADO     
*Denver-Mountain Park   29 
Fort Garland-W. B. Turner404020100 
Lamar – Allyn Cole1  1 
*Sedalia – Richard Dillion   6136
DELAWARE     
Wilmington City Park Zoo11 22
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA     
Washington National Zoological Park6721515
FLORIDA     
Jacksonville – City park11 22
GEORGIA     
Atlanta-Grant Park Zoo11 22
IDAHO     
Ashton Island Park Land & Cattle Co13 4 
Pocatello Nixon Trust Estate26210 
St. Anthony-Robert L. Hammond1  1 
St. Anthony John Bishop 1 1 
St. Anthony-Robert M. Kerr 1 1 
St. Anthony-Thomas Bishop 1 118
ILLINOIS     
*Aurora Cotu Park Zoo   3 
Chicago-Lincoln Park29213 
Granville—A. W. Hopkins12 3 
Willow Springs – Cook Co Forest Preserve28 1029
INDIANA     
Fort Wayne-John H. Bass Estate1  1 
Freemont – Sprague Bros.12 2 
Lafayette Columbia Park11 25
IOWA     
Cedar Falls Iowa Teachers College1  1 
Charles City City Park Zoo11 2 
*Davenport-Dept of Parks*   10 
DesMoines-DesMoines Park2114 
*Iowa Falls Park Department1  1 
Keota-J. O. Singmaster27716 
Perry E. D. Carter1113 
Sioux City Stone Park22 441
KANSAS     
Garden City State Game Preserve12 3 
Hays City – State Teachers College12 3 
Robinson-Dr. G. B. Fridell11 2 
Topeka-Gage Park12 3 
Wichita Dept of Parks111314
KENTUCKY     
Louisville Park Department11 2 
Morehead-S. M. Bradley1  1 
Murray Dr. Wm. H. Mason11 25
LOUISIANA     
Jeanerette-H. Patout11 2 
Monroe City Park Zoo1  2 
New Orleans Zoological Park11 25
MARYLAND     
Baltimore-Druid Hill Park22155
MASSACHUSETTES     
Beverly-Otis Emerson Dunham11 2 
Boston-Franklin Park Zoo1416 
Springfield -Dept of Park11 2 
West Brookfield H. E. Richardson2417 
West Brookfield-Indian Rock Farm2641229
MICHIGAN     
Detroit-Belle Isle Park2316 
Flint Richard Hendricks14 5 
Grand Rapids City Park Zoo1113 
Muskegon School Children11 2 
Orion – W E Scripps1  1 
Oscoda Carl E. Schmidt221522
MINNESOTA     
Canby – John Landgraf1225 
Duluth-Duluth Park1  1 
Hibbing-Board of Park Commissioners1113 
Little Falls-City Park Zoo   3 
*Mankato – City Park Zoo11 2 
Redwood Falls Department of Parks221522
St. Paul-Department of Parks     
MISSISSIPPI     
Jackson Livingston Park11 22
MISSOURI     
Joplin-City Park Zoo1  1 
Jefferson City – Lee Jordan11 2 
Lee’s Summit Milton Thompson1835 53 
Mexico-City Park Zoo12 3 
Springfield-City Park Zoo11 2 
St Louis Forest park241768
MONTANA     
Butte Columbia Gardens21 3 
Kalispell City Park1  1 
*Miles City – C.H. Mott   4 
Moise Montana National Bison Range16630264532 
Scobie – Harry Traux13 4 
Stockett-J. H. Dennis1  1 
Wallis -Wallis Huidekoper1416 
Warm Springs – State Hospital12 2553
NEBRASKA     
Cambridge-W. A. Luther11 2 
Lincoln-Antelope Park 1 1 
*Omaha Dept of Park Commissioners   6 
Valentine-Niobrara Reservation1532105766
NEVADA     
Cliffdale – Tyson Bean1821111
NEW HAMPSHIRE     
Franklin-Log Cabin Zoo11 3 
Newport Blue Mountain Forest Association8741921
NEW JERSEY     
Alloway – Reeves Timberman21 3 
Grenloch – Louis Weber3519 
*Trenton – Cadwalader Park   214
NEW MEXICO     
*Fort Sumner – EW & RE McKenzie   54 
Wagon Mound-L. P. Hammond45 963
NEW YORK     
Buffalo – Delaware Park Zoo3328 
Chazy – W H Miner85215 
Hastings-Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr1113 
New York City-Central Park2327 
New York City Zoological Park710219 
Perrysburg J. N. Adam Memorial Hospital11 2 
Rochester-Seneca & Durand Eastman Park66214 
Utica-CityPark111371
NORTH CAROLINA     
*Andrews-Geo. G. Moore   5 
Asheville-Pisgah National Forest21 3 
Charlotte-Charlotte Speedway, Inc1  19
NORTH DAKOTA     
Fort Totten-Sullys Hill Nat’l Park47314 
Minot-C. H. Parker624 30 
Williston-William Davidson14 549
OHIO     
*Cincinnati-Zoological Gardens   15 
Cleveland City Park11 2 
*Toledo-City Park   118
OKLAHOMA     
Bartlesville-Frank Phillips1484 98 
Cache-Wichita National Game Preserve648936189 
*Fort Gibson – G A Smith   7 
Oklahoma City-State Game Preserve1314734 
Oklahoma City Wheeler Park1214 
Marland-Miller Bros. (101 Ranch)401687215 
*Muskogee – City Park   2 
Sand Springs-City Park14 5 
Sulphur-Platt National Park1214 
Pawnee-Major G. W. Lillie729440 
*Stillwater – M J Otey   3601
Sulphur-Platt National Park     
OREGON     
Portland Washington Park4431111
PENNSYLVANIA     
Allentown-Harry C. Trexler377014121 
Erie-Kiwanis Club of Erie1  1 
Glen Campbell-Hon. Joseph 0. Clark26 8 
Philadelphia-Zoological Garden66113 
Pittsburgh-Highland Park1618 
Scranton – Zoological Society1  1152
SOUTH DAKOTA     
Agar – Ed Sutton210 12 
Alcester – Gallagher Bros14 5 
Bristol – B A Adams1113 
Hermosa – State Game Preserve30481189 
Hot Springs-Wind Cave National Game Preserve377117125 
Pierre-Estate of James Phillip2575 100 
*Sioux Falls – City Park   4338
TENNESSEE     
*Memphis-Overton Park Zoo   7 
Nashville – Glendale park1  18
TEXAS     
Abilene – Abilene Chamber of Commerce11 2 
Avery – B H Williams11 2 
*El Paso-City Park   4 
Ft Worth Park Dept33 6 
Garland – W C Kingsley 2 2 
Goodnight-J S Straley2014547212 
Hartle– Geo. T. Reynolds1113 
Houston – City Park Zoo1  1 
*Iowa Park – Will Burnett   17 
Kent – Rock Pile Ranch3429 
Kerrville – George E Dryden11 2 
McKinney – Joh E Wilson 1 1 
San Antonio- R V Colbert & Son510 15 
Stamford – V. Colbert & Son712524300
UTAH     
*Kaysville – Buffalo Island Livestock Co   445 
*Salt Lake City City Park   3 
Antelope Island-John E. Dooley     
Pangwitch – H Clark5  5453
WASHINGTON     
*Everette-City Park   2 
Seattle – Woodland Park Zoo25 7 
Spokane-City Park2215 
Tacoma-Metropolitan Park21 3 
Yakima – Gibson Brothers254187491
WISCONSIN     
Chippewa Falls – Chippewa Falls Park15 6 
*Madison Dr. Corydon Dwight   6 
Milwaukee-Washington Park Zoo2518 
Star Prairie – H C Lau23 5 
Wausaw-G. F. Ventzke11 227
WYOMING     
Careyhurst – J M Carey Brothers Inc78116 
Gillette – R B Marquiss15 6 
Sheridan – Pioneer Park Zoo1315 
Thermopolis – L F Thornton17210 
Yellowstone National Park Tame Herd323321120764 
Yellowstone National Park, Wild HerdEst 125  125927
TOTAL IN THE UNITED STATES    4376

CANADA 1926

Canada Bison as of January 1st 1926MalesFemalesYoungTotal by Prov.Grand Total
ALBERTA     
Banff Banff National Park148426 
Lamont Elk Island Park15924565469 
Wainwright Buffalo Park Herd32503250180083008795
ATHABASCA     
Wood Bison Park – Wild HerdEst. 1500  1500 
Wood Bison Park -Tame Herd   16343134
MANITOBA     
Brandon Inter-Provincial Fair2316 
Winnipeg, Assiniboine Park3611016
ONTARIO     
Durham – Dr David Jamieson11 2 
London City Park2215 
*St. Thomas Zoological Park   2 
Toronto Zoological Gardens12 312
Grand Total in Canada    11957

* Figures of 1923, none available this year.

US 1929

U.S. Bison as of January 1st 1929MalesFemalesYoungTotal by StateGrand Total
ALASKA     
Juneau-Alaska Game Commission   2121
ALABAMA     
Birmingham-City Park Zoo1   1
ARIZONA     
House Rock Valley – State of Arizona3145108686
CALIFORNIA     
Cajou – Los Angeles County12 3 
Los Angeles – Ramona Village Inc24 6 
San Francisco-Golden Gate Park919533 
San Louis Oburpo -W.R. Hearst   30 
Visalia – Tulare County Park12 375
COLORADO     
Denver-Mountain Park2627659 
Fort Garland-W. B. Turner25601499158
DELAWARE     
Wilmington City Park Zoo11133
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA     
Washington National Zoological Park7611414
FLORIDA     
Jacksonville – City park11 22
IDAHO     
Ashton Island Park Land & Cattle Co13 4 
Pocatello Nixon Trust Estate162913
ILLINOIS     
Chicago-Lincoln Park18413 
Granville A. W. Hopkins11 2 
Kankakee-B. L. Small11 217
INDIANA     
Fort Wayne-John H. Bass Estate1  1 
Freemont – Sprague Bros.11 2 
South Bend Commissioner of Parks13 47
IOWA     
Keota-C. A. Singmaster 325 
Keota-J. O. Singmaster38213 
Sioux City- Stone Park121422
KANSAS     
Garden City State Game Preserve44 8 
Wichita Dept of Parks12 311
KENTUCKY     
Murray Dr. Wm. H. Mason1   1
LOUISIANA     
Monroe-City Park Zoo11 2 
New Orleans-Zoological Park11 24
MASSACHUSETTES     
Beverly-Otis Emerson Dunham1113 
Boston-Franklin Park Zoo2529 
West Brookfield-H. E. Richardson422820
MICHIGAN     
Grand Rapids City Park Zoo22 4 
Muskegon  School Children11 2 
Oscoda Carl E. Schmidt131511
MINNESOTA     
Duluth-Duluth Park13 4 
Hibbing-Board of Park Commissioners11 2 
Little Falls-City Park Zoo1214 
Mankato – City Park Zoo11 2 
Redwood Falls Department of Parks11 2 
St. Paul-Department of Parks611822
MISSISSIPPI     
Jackson Livingston Park11133
MISSOURI     
Joplin-City Park Zoo1113 
Jefferson City – Lee Jordan1517 
St Louis Forest park2441020
MONTANA     
Moise-Montana National Bison Range9316270325 
Richland-Walter M. Truax25411 
Stockett-J. H. Dennis11 2 
Twodot-Wallis Huidekoper14 5 
Warm Springs – State Hospital3126349
NEBRASKA     
Beaver City-W. T. Collings110516 
Cambridge-W. A. Luther11 2 
Fremont-D. V. Stephens11 2 
Lincoln-Antelope Park 1 1 
Valentine-Niobrara Reservation   89110
NEW HAMPSHIRE     
Newport-Blue Mountain Forest Association7721616
NEW JERSEY     
Alloway – Reeves Timberman11 2 
Blackwood-Louis Weber333911
NEW MEXICO     
Wagon Mound-L. P. Hammond 4377
NEW YORK     
Buffalo – Delaware Park Zoo12 3 
New York City-Central Park12 3 
New York City Zoological Park611 17 
Perrysburg-J. N. Adam Memorial Hospital21 326
NORTH CAROLINA     
Asheville—-Pisgah National Forest2  22
NORTH DAKOTA     
Fort Totten-Sullys Hill Nat’l Park45413 
Minot-C. H. Parker111943447
OHIO     
Cincinnati-Zoological Gardens311317 
Toledo-City Park12 320
OKLAHOMA     
Cache-Wichita National Game Preserve6114551257 
Marland Miller Bros. (101 Ranch)   72 
Oklahoma City-  State Game Preserve1291242 
Oklahoma City Wheeler Park3115 
Pawnee—-Major G. W. Lillie830240 
Sand Springs-City Park26 8 
Sulphur-Platt National Park31 4428
OREGON     
Portland-Washington Park8752020
PENNSYLVANIA     
Allentown-Harry C. Trexler26411582 
Erie-—Kiwanis Club of Erie11 2 
Philadelphia-Zoological Garden2518 
Pittsburgh-Highland Park 4 4 
Scranton – Zoological Society11 298
SOUTH DAKOTA     
Agar – Ed Sutton1126239 
Alcester – Gallagher Bros1449 
Bristol – B A Adams1  1 
Hermosa – State Game Preserve   100 
Hot Springs-Wind Cave National Game Preserve   147296
TENNSEESE     
Memphis-Overton Park Zoo12 33
TEXAS     
Abilene – Abilene Chamber of Commerce1214 
Amarilo-C. J. Pumroy317424 
Cisco-Cisco Zoo.1  1 
El Paso-City Park1517 
Ft Worth Park Dept1113 
Goodnight J S Straley   208 
Houston – City Park Zoo1214 
Iowa Park – Will Burnett1213126 
McKinney – Joh E Wilson 1 1 
San Angelo-P. W. Howe1214 
Waco J. B. Earl21 3285
UTAH     
Salt Lake City-City Park12 33
WASHINGTON     
Colville-T. M. Wilson1  1 
Everette-City Park12 3 
Seattle – Woodland Park Zoo23 5 
Spokane-City Park22 4 
Yakima – Gibson Brothers736135669
WISCONSIN     
Chippewa Falls – Chippewa Falls Park 3 3 
Milwaukee-Washington Park Zoo341811
WYOMING     
Careyhurst – J M Carey Brothers Inc37 10 
Gillette – R B Marquiss1438 
Sheridan – Pioneer Park Zoo1326 
Thermopolis – L F Thornton46111 
Yellowstone National Park Tame Herd423378135936 
Yellowstone National Park, Wild HerdEst100  1001071
TOTAL IN THE UNITED STATES    3,385

CANADA 1929

Canada Bison as of January 1st 1929MalesFemalesYoungTotal by Prov.Grand Total
ALBERTA     
Banff-Banff National Park78520 
Lamont Elk Island Park   593 
Wainwright-Buffalo Park Herd   43244937
ATHABASCA     
Wood Bison Park   1000010000
BRITISH COLUMBIA     
Vancouver – Park Commissioners1  11
MANITOBA     
Brandon-Inter-Provincial Fair2316 
Winnipeg, Assiniboine Park512 1723
ONTARIO     
Durham – Dr David Jamieson2114 
London City Park11 2 
Toronto-Zoological Gardens11 28
Grand Total in Canada    15005

SUMMARY GOV HERDS

SUMMARY OF US GOVERNMENT HERDS19181920192319261929
Number of United States Government Herds69999
Montana National Bison Range, Montana200298459532325
National Zoological Park, Washington, D. C1821141514
Niobrara Reservation, Nebraska1421415789
Pisgah National Forest 6432
Platt National Park, Oklahoma 3344
Sullys Hill Park, North Dakota 7111413
Wichita National Forest and Game Preserve, Okla92119146189257
Wind Cave National Game Preserve, South Dakota345592125147
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming4005027028891036
TOTAL7581032147218281887

FOREIGN COUNTRIES

Foreign Countries 1908191319181920192319261929
Austria25      
Australia  3331 
Belgium4  1574
England37 5451334545
Germany49  26223
Italy      4
Netherlands13  7765
Russia4   557
Uruguay Montevideo Villa Dolores   22512
South Africa       
Johannesburg Zoological Gardens    112
Pretoria National Zoological Gardens 1  234
Mexico- City of Mexico Zoo Gardens     44
New Zealand     23
Scotland     1 
Switzerland     26
TOTAL132 57636483119

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*Addition errors, the number on the left is an original census, the number on the right is the corrected version. In 1933 it was reported that three young bison were escorted by Mr. Hearst to Japan’s Uno Zoo. At Whipsnade U.K. the American variety only is exhibited, though it is hoped that arrangements may be made before long to show specimens of European bisons’ also in the park. As of 2018, they have one American bison bull and one European bison bull, and three females.