DISTRIBUTION OF BUFFALO HERDS 13 



breeds persistently and successfully in captivity, and to the 

 great efforts that have been put forth by the United States 

 Government, the Canadian Government, the American Bison 

 Society, the New York Zoological Society and several pri- 

 vate individuals. 



The species reached its lowest ebb in 1889, when there 

 were only 256 head in captivity and 835 running wild. The 

 increase has been as follows: 



1888 — W. T. Hornaday's census 1,300 



1889 — W. T. Hornaday's census „ 1,091 



1902 — S. P. Langley's census 1,39-1 



1905 — Frank Baker's census 1,697 



1908 — W. T. Hornaday's census 2,047 



1910 — W. P. Wharton's census (in North America) 2,108 



1912— W. P. Wharton's census (in North America) 2,907 



To-day (January 1, 1914) nearly one-half of the living 

 Buffalo are in very large, perpetually established govern- 

 mental parks, and are breeding rapidly, as follows: 



In the United Statks 



Yellowstone Park fenced herd, founded by Congress, 1905 125 



Montana National Bison Range, founded by the American Bison 



Society, 1909 * 9<> 



Wichita National Bison Range, founded by the New York Zoological 



Society, 1907 48 



Wind Cave National Bison Range, South Dakota, founded by the 



American Bison Society, 1913 1!) 



Niobrara (Neb.) National Bison Range, 191-2 10 



In Canada 



Buffalo Park, Wainwright, Alberta 1,052 



Elk Island Park, Alberta o.'? 



Rocky Mountains Park, Banff', Alberta 27 



Total in National and Provincial Preserves 1,430 



