Minnesota Donates 23 Bison to Conservation Groups
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources gave 23 yearling bison to three conservation organizations in fall 2026 as part of a broader herd-building effort.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in National Parks
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources donated 23 yearling bison to three conservation organizations in fall 2026. The DNR maintains a herd of 115 to 145 bison at Minneopa State Park and Blue Mounds State Park.
Why it matters
The donation supports the Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd, which partners hope to grow from 150 bison to 500 across all sites. Bison numbers have recovered from near extinction in the late 1800s, when people killed tens of millions of animals.
The Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd has about 150 bison across all partner sites, with a goal of reaching 500. About 370,000 bison live in North America, and roughly 31,000 of them are in conservation herds.
The players
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
The state agency that manages public lands, waters and wildlife in Minnesota, including the state's DNR-maintained bison herd at two state parks.
Minnesota Zoo
The Minnesota Zoological Garden, which partnered with the DNR in 2012 to establish the Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd.
The details
The Minnesota DNR, which manages a herd of 115 to 145 bison between Minneopa State Park and Blue Mounds State Park, donated 23 yearling bison to three conservation organizations. The Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd, started in 2012 through a DNR and Minnesota Zoo agreement, includes bison at the Minnesota Zoological Garden and Spring Lake Park Reserve Bison Prairie.
Timeline
2012: The Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd was started through an agreement between the DNR and Minnesota Zoo.
Late 1800s: People killed tens of millions of bison, bringing the species near extinction.
Fall 2026: The DNR donated 23 yearling bison to three conservation organizations.
Conservation Trajectory
The donation extends the Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd, established in 2012 through a DNR and Minnesota Zoo agreement, as the herd works toward 500 bison. The effort follows the recovery of a species reduced to about 100 survivors after the late 1800s slaughter.
Visitors to Minneopa State Park and Blue Mounds State Park can see the DNR-managed bison herd, which the DNR maintains at 115 to 145 animals. Travelers planning a visit should check current park access and viewing conditions before going.
The takeaway
Bison populations that once collapsed to about 100 animals now number roughly 370,000 across North America, and conservation herds like Minnesota's show how managed breeding can keep that recovery going. Readers planning park visits can view these herds in person at participating state parks and zoos.
Further reading
For related context on bison conservation and state park wildlife, see National Parks.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KIMT-TV 3 Mason City.
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