American Bison Statue Kachina Prairie, Ennis, Texas Stock Photo

Pictured is a statue of an American Bison in Kachina Prairie in Ennis, Texas. Also commonly known as buffalo, they once roamed North America in vast herds. With a population in excess of 60 million in the late 18th century, the species was down to 541 animals by 1889. Recovery efforts expanded in the mid-20th century, with a resurgence to roughly 31,000 animals today, largely restricted to a few national parks and reserves. It is the heaviest, and second tallest extant land animal after moose in the Americas. The American bison is the national mammal of the United States.