* Wild vs. Domesticated: There's a big difference between wild bison and those raised in ranches. Wild bison populations are carefully monitored, but domesticated bison are not.
* Varying Estimates: Even for wild bison, different organizations and sources have varying estimates.
* Constantly Changing: Bison numbers fluctuate due to factors like conservation efforts, disease, predation, and habitat availability.
Here's what we do know:
* Wild Bison: The North American Bison Conservation Initiative estimates that there are around 20,000 wild bison in the United States.
* Domesticated Bison: The number of domesticated bison in the US is significantly higher, with estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions.
To get a better idea of bison populations in specific regions, you can look at websites for organizations like:
* National Park Service: Provides information on bison in parks like Yellowstone.
* North American Bison Conservation Initiative: Tracks wild bison numbers and conservation efforts.
* The Wildlife Conservation Society: Offers data on wildlife populations, including bison.
Remember that these numbers are just estimates, and the actual number of bison in the world can vary significantly.