In the past year, FORT researchers worked with experts and partner institutions across the United States on two genetic investigations of bison herds. In Montana, they sampled the genetics of a herd of approximately 1000 individuals. Genetic analyses revealed that this herd contained no obvious signs of domestic cattle DNA and that genetic diversity within the herd was high (inbreeding was quite low), providing a baseline for judging the potential impacts of future management actions on herd health. 

In Yellowstone, where bison populations are managed by periodically removing some individuals, the scientists simulated how different management tactics might interact with potential catastrophes like disease or drought might impact genetic retention, a proxy for healthy populations. In all, the team showed that maintaining a population of at least 3500 individuals — and limiting population removals to less than 40% of the population at a time — are strong long-term solutions for a genetically healthy herd.