06/24/2026
On my recent trip to Utah, I was captivated by the sight of countless bison shedding their thick winter coats in preparation for the summer heat on Antelope Island, nestled within the Great Salt Lake.
What struck me most was their sheer size. American bison are the largest land mammals in North America, weighing up to 2,000 pounds! 🦬
Did you know the American bison shares the title as the official symbol of our country with the Bald Eagle? 🦅 Like the eagle, the bison represents one of the greatest conservation success stories of our time.
Pre-colonization, millions of bison roamed North America, deeply intertwined with the cultures, livelihoods, and traditions of many Indigenous Peoples. But by the late 1800s, habitat loss and hunting by European settlers had driven the species to the brink of extinction, leaving only a few hundred bison.
Had it not been for the efforts of few, this extraordinary species might have disappeared forever.
Today, seeing these magnificent animals thriving once again is a powerful reminder that we are stewards of this planet. The stories of recovery are just as important as the stories of loss.
📍 Antelope Island State Park
Source: Department of the Interior
