The city and county of Denver, Colorado, donated 14 bison to tribal nations as part of an effort to return the animal to its native lands.
Denver Parks and Recreation announced the gift on April 2, and final approval was given by the Denver City Council on Monday. Thirteen of the bison will be donated to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. One bison will be given to the Tall Bull Memorial Council in Colorado.
“Denver shares a common vision with our tribal partners to return and restore wild bison back to historical habitats and ancestral lands,” Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said in a statement. “Bison restoration efforts teach us how to be better stewards of the land, improve prairie landscapes and ecosystems, ensure genetic diversity of the species, and ensure a legacy of cultural understanding.”
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The region maintains bison herds at its Genesee and Daniels parks. Typically, the parks and recreation department holds an annual auction for surplus bison to maintain a healthy population size for the herds and genetic diversity.
After hosting its 36th auction of that kind, the department said it will no longer do so, instead opting to send the animals to tribes across the country in an agreement that is set to continue until 2030.
“This donation is the result and culmination of a very long, storied history and relationship with the State of Colorado,” Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Gov. Reggie Wassana said. “The Tribes plan to use the donated bison as a cultural, conservation and educational resource, with the goal of locating the bison on our own tribal natural plains habitat.”
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“We appreciate this gift and hope to grow our relationship with the great state of Colorado,” Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Lt. Gov. Gilbert Miles added.
The city reports that nearly 30 million bison roamed North America before European settlers came to the continent. The animal was nearly wiped out due to hunting in the 1800s. The population has since risen to an estimated 31,000 free-range wild bison in North America.
