American Bison in Custer State Park, South Dakota

A mature American bison stands in the prairie of Custer State Park, South Dakota. Established in 1914, the park's bison herd represents a significant conservation effort, as the species was once on the brink of extinction. Today, the herd numbers over a thousand animals, roaming freely across the park's diverse landscape of mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forest. This herd is a vital component of the ecological restoration of the Great Plains and a living testament to the enduring presence of North America's native megafauna.