Function to 'deactivate' images. Private lands can help the bison population recover to millions of animals. By Sam Albrecht About 90 percent of the world's bison population, roughly 200,000, is found on private lands in the United States and Canada. Just as private landowners were instrumental in helping save the bison from extinction 100 years ago, they are now vital to the goal of increasing the population to even higher numbers. It's pretty simple.
Public lands can support only so many animals.
The grass and habitats in Yellowstone National Park, the National Bison Range, Custer State Park, and the many other public herds can only support a certain population without damaging the land. It's a simple stocking issue. If you put too many animals in your pasture, you're soon going to exceed the capacity for the grass to restore itself. Although there is some prime bison habitat, it's unlikely that bison will be introduced into other public lands. Most national parks are unwilling to commit the resources necessary to introduce bison.