July 5, 2019 — A bison cow and calf graze in Custer State Park, South Dakota. The park's herd, numbering around 1,300 animals, inhabits a landscape of prairie and ponderosa pine forest, mirroring the historical Great Plains habitat. Spring births bring hundreds of reddish-brown calves, known as "red dogs," which gradually darken as they mature. This protected population represents a significant conservation success, having brought the American bison back from the brink of extinction in the early 20th century.July 5, 2019 — An American bison stands near the Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park, South Dakota, at dawn. Custer State Park manages one of the largest bison herds in the country, preserving a lineage tied to the Great Plains ecosystem and Native American history. The park's conservation efforts, including annual roundups, aim to maintain the health of the prairie and the bison population, which once numbered in the millions before the 19th century. Bison are a keystone species, their grazing habits significantly influencing the biodiversity of the grasslands.July 5, 2019 — 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.July 5, 2019 — A herd of bison grazes in Custer State Park, South Dakota. Established in 1913, the park is home to one of the largest bison herds in the world, a testament to conservation efforts. The park's landscape, characterized by rolling hills and ponderosa pine forests, provides essential habitat for these American icons. Bison were reintroduced to the park in the early 20th century, helping to restore a species that had been nearly eradicated.
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