Talk:American bison

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picture caption in second section of article[edit]

Although a minor issue, the picture on the left currently states "wild bison and calf" when it is plain to someone who can identify sex that the two bison in question are an adult male, and and adult female bison.

Bison population sizes[edit]

The main reference for the older census sizes of bison are from reference 95 (Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife (January 1965). "The American Buffalo". Conservation Note. 12.). I think it is slightly miscited since it is (from what I can tell) from 1977 and can be linked in full text here: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.31822016984015&view=1up&seq=1 Further is is not a good reference or source for this number - at least not stated as a fact in this wiki article. The text reads: "At their peak (probably before the discovery of America) it is though that they may have numbered 60 or 70 millions." Rasmus.87 (talk) 10:50, 9 December 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Can someone explain...[edit]

...the logic behind "400,000-500,000 [in 2010]" transitioning into "31,000 [9 years later in 2019]" yet that's not critically endangered or endangered in reference to the original "[double digit] millions"? 173.80.7.142 (talk) 01:37, 29 February 2024 (UTC)[reply]

The 400,000–500,000 was the total number of bison, both wild and commercial, in 2010. The 31,000 is referring to just wild bison in 2019. In the 2010 paragraph, a little further down, it reads that there are approximately 15,000 wild bison. I assume that that number refers to the 2010 population. That should probably be made clear. pillowcrow 17:57, 29 February 2024 (UTC)[reply]

And the double digit millions being brought down to a 5 digit number doesn't make it endangered...? 173.80.7.142 (talk) 01:35, 11 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Okay, I understand now. I'm guessing you're talking about the "estimated population of 60 million in the late 18th century". While I don't know all the factors that play into the conservation status of a species, I would assume that it's not necessarily based on the number of individuals still extant as a percentage of a past number. I think it's more based on (or maybe entirely based on) the likelihood of the species becoming extinct. When the population went from 60 million to a few hundred individuals in the late 18th century, they were critically endangered (by modern standards), being just a few hundred reckless slaughters away from extinction. But then conservation efforts were introduced, and despite the still comparatively low numbers (500,000 vs 60 million) the American bison is nevertheless in no danger of becoming extinct. The wild bison are well protected (and so is their environment), and of course, the same would be said for the commercial herds. Therefore the bison is not endangered because it's not in danger of becoming extinct. In contrast, tigers are endangered because the likelihood of their extinction is high. There are fewer than 6,000 individuals in the wild (according to experts), their habitat is threatened, and there are only so many captive tigers in the world. And of course, we can't breed them like bison and make herds out of them. Hope that helps. pillowcrow 19:37, 11 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]