Bison Genomics

Smithsonian scientists are using historic collections to determine how their the near extinction effected bison genetics. Learn more about their research and how their findings may contribute to conservation efforts in this short video. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History has opened a new exhibition, “Bison: Standing Strong,” that invites visitors to explore the enduring legacy of the American bison from ancient times to the present. These iconic animals shaped North American landscapes for more than 100,000 years and have anchored many Native American cultures for generations. Through a variety of anthropological objects, scientific specimens, and a mounted bull bison, the exhibition traces the animal’s central role in North America’s ecosystems, cultures, and national history, and examines how a species once driven to the brink of extinction made a remarkable comeback. On view through May 2029, “Bison: Standing Strong” features images and objects drawn from across the Smithsonian’s vast collections as part of the Institution’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Learn more at: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/exhibits/bison-standing-strong. #bison #americanbison #buffalo #smithsonianbison #bisonstandingstrong