Plains Bison Named Utah's State Animal

Utah officially designated the plains bison as its state animal, a choice tied to the species' recovery and cultural importance. The state’s visible herds include Antelope Island and the Henry Mountains, both central to conservation and management efforts.

Utah has added the plains bison to its list of official wildlife symbols to reflect the species' return and ongoing stewardship. The animal once ranged widely across North America and supported Indigenous communities and complex ecosystems. Bison disappeared from Utah during the 19th-century collapse and were later reintroduced through managed herds. Lawmakers described the choice as recognition of recovery, ecological ties, and cooperative management. Key facts: - The plains bison was designated as Utah’s state animal to acknowledge its ecological and cultural significance. - Antelope Island hosts one of Utah’s most visible bison herds, introduced in the late 1890s and now managed with populations typically between about 550 and 700 animals; managers conduct an annual Great Buffalo Roundup. - The Henry Mountains herd began in the 1940s with fewer than twenty bison moved from Yellowstone and is noted for carrying little to no cattle ancestry and for being largely disease-free. - Plains bison once numbered in the millions across North America but fell to only a few hundred by the late 19th century due to hunting, rail expansion, habitat loss, and federal policies that also affected Indigenous nations. - In 2016, the National Bison Legacy Act named the American bison the national mammal of the United States, a development referenced in state conversations about restoration. Summary: Recognizing the plains bison as a state animal highlights Utah’s involvement in multi-decade restoration and the species’ cultural importance to Indigenous nations. Ongoing monitoring, research, and partnerships among state and federal agencies, tribes, scientists, and private landowners continue to shape how these herds are managed and conserved.