Bison grazing at thermal hot springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States

Herds of heritage. Bison grazingin Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States

The bison embodies a paradox: immense strength paired with quiet calm. Weighing up to 900 kilogrammes and standing almost 2 metres tall, these giants roam North America's grasslands and river valleys in mobile herds. Photographed here in Yellowstone National Park, in Wyoming, United States, this herd represents the wild heart of American plains—a reminder of the strength that echoes across the world's wilderness, from the bison of the west to India's own gaur.

Towering and sure-footed, the gaur moves through the dense greenery of the Western Ghats and across the forest belts of central and northeastern India. The species holds the title of the world's largest wild cattle and is classified as 'Vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. As a dominant grazer, it shapes the growth of forest vegetation and maintains the balance of grassland ecosystems.

To stand before them—whether the bison of the west or the gaur of India—is to witness the ancient, the interrupted and the resurgent come together in a single moment. These animals' survival reminds us that heritage is not only remembered—it is lived, woven into the fabric of rugged landscapes and enduring traditions.