A bison is a large, even-toed ungulate of the family Bovidae. Native to North America and Europe, the bison has two subspecies – the American bison and the European bison. Although similar in appearance to cattle, bison are actually more closely related to other ungulates like deer and antelope. The American bison is the national mammal of the United States while the European bison is the national animal of Poland.
Bison have long been a symbol of strength and endurance. In many Native American cultures, the buffalo was (and still is) considered a sacred creature. For centuries, various tribes relied on them for food, clothing, shelter and tools. The buffalo was (and still is) an important part of their spiritual beliefs and ceremonies.
In more recent years, the bison has come to symbolize conservation efforts in North America. Due to overhunting and habitat loss in the 19th century, they came close to extinction with only a few hundred animals remaining by 1900. Thanks to conservation efforts led by President Theodore Roosevelt, their numbers have increased significantly and there are now over 500,000 American bison roaming freely across North America.