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A small group of bison roam the Snake Butte Pasture on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in Montana. (<a href="http://conservationmedia.com/">ConservationMedia</a>)
Article November 1, 2023

In Montana, Wild Bison Are Back, and an Entire Ecosystem Is Healing

The return of bison ten years ago to their home on tribal lands at the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation has helped restore an ecosystem and tribal culture.

A bison grazes at American Prairie.
(Ami Vitale for Earthjustice)
feature October 7, 2022

How We Helped Bison Make a Huge Comeback

Earthjustice is using the power of the law to restore and recover wildlife — including bison.

Protection of wildlife is about preserving what remains special and mysterious about the world in which we live. The return of the American Bison to the Great Plains is a victory for preserving our American heritage.
(Sergio Boccardo / Shutterstock)
Article November 6, 2014

Top Four Reasons the American Bison Makes a Great Mascot

“Both males and females have horns”

document April 8, 2014

Bison as Livestock Motion

Press Release April 8, 2014

Victory for Wild Bison in Montana

Montana judge rejects effort to classify wild bison as“livestock”

Once numbering approximately 30 million across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains, wild bison were almost driven to extinction by market hunters in the late 19th century.
(Photo provided by Ted Wood)
case October 16, 2013

Bison: Born to be Wild

Once numbering approximately 30 million across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains, wild bison were almost driven to extinction by market hunters in the late 19th century. Montana was among their last strongholds, but the slaughter persisted until in 1903, when only about 25 of the animals remained in the wild. Those last wild bison…

document October 16, 2013

Bison as Livestock: Response Brief

Earthjustice has filed a brief in response to new efforts to prevent bison restoration by classifying wild bison as livestock.

document October 16, 2013

Bison as Livestock: CBU Brief

Anti-bison interests are asking a Montana court to declare that the transplanted bison are “livestock” instead of “wildlife” under state law if they leave the reservations and roam on to public or private lands.

One of the newborn bison calves, born at Montana's Fort Peck in the spring of 2012.
(Bill Campbell for Earthjustice)
Article October 16, 2013

Bison: Wildlife or Livestock?

As wild bison return to the plains, ranchers target them as livestock

document June 19, 2013

Montana Supreme Court Ruling

Press Release June 19, 2013

Montana's Highest Court Clears Way for Return of Wild Bison

Bison transfer to Fort Belknap tribes to proceed

Two of the first wild baby bison to be born at Fort Peck Indian Reservation in the spring of 2012. The bison’s triumphant return to Fort Peck culminates more than a century of work to restore American bison herds that had been slaughtered.
(Bill Campbell / Earthjustice)
video July 2, 2012

Re-Born to be Re-Wild

More than 100 years ago, bison were slaughtered by the millions. In the spring of 2012, the great herds were being re-born on the Great Plains—one baby at a time.

One of the newborn bison calves, born at Montana's Fort Peck in the spring of 2012.
(Bill Campbell for Earthjustice)
Article May 17, 2012

Born To Be Wild Once More

Home on the range, where the deer and antelope play? Forget about it. How about buffalo (yeah, I know they’re really bison). After years of dreaming about getting one of the original Americans back out on the prairie where they belong, we’re a big step closer to seeing it happen. After killing every last buffalo…