The main cause of the bison's decline was overhunting. Bison were hunted for their meat, hides, and fur. By the mid-19th century, the bison population had been reduced to a fraction of its former size.
2) Disease
Disease also played a role in the bison's decline. In the 1870s, a cattle disease called rinderpest spread to the bison population. Rinderpest killed millions of bison.
3) Loss of habitat
As settlers moved west, they took over the bison's habitat. Bison were forced to live on smaller and smaller areas of land. This made them more vulnerable to hunting and disease.
4) Climate change
Climate change also played a role in the bison's decline. The climate changed during the 18th and 19th centuries. This made it difficult for bison to find food and water.
The combination of these factors led to the near extinction of the bison. By the late 19th century, there were only about 1,000 bison left in the United States.
Efforts to save the bison
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, conservationists worked to save the bison. They created bison reserves and protected the remaining bison from hunting. Thanks to these efforts, the bison population has rebounded. There are now about 500,000 bison in the United States.