Bison

The book examines the evolutionary history of bison from the Pleistocene to their near extinction in the 19th century, highlighting the role of Indigenous peoples, colonial expansion, and the leather industry. It presents genetic evidence revealing population bottlenecks and hybridization with domestic cattle. It describes recovery efforts in the Americas and Europe, including the reconstruction of the European bison from a handful of founders. It discusses how contemporary conservation must integrate genetics, ecology, and cultural memory to prevent further declines.