Private ranchers and non-governmental organizations (NGO) such as the Bronx Zoo and the American Bison Society has restored and preserved some herds.

Today more than 200,000 bison exist in the U.S., though most are raised for meat consumption and have been cross-bred with domestic cattle.

About 40-50,000 of the bison are on ranches owned by Ted Turner, who sells its meat in his Montana Grill restaurants.