Bison genetic diversity survived 19th-century mass slaughter: Study

A 2026 Science study analysing 115 ancient and 45 modern bison genomes found the 19th-century population collapse damaged herd connectivity more than overall genetic diversity. Modern herds are more isolated, with some showing elevated inbreeding. Cattle ancestry was detected in 32 of 97 modern bison at under 2%. All wood bison carry plains bison ancestry, yet both subspecies remain distinct.