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

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

The bison embodies a paradox: immense strength paired with quiet calm. Weighing up to 900 kilograms 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, they once numbered in the tens of millions but were nearly eradicated in the 19th century—a loss that reshaped ecosystems and disrupted lifeways.

Today, the United States observes National Bison Day. On this day the citizens honour this iconic species' persistence and profound significance. It's only fitting that this celebration falls at the start of Native American Heritage Month: for countless Native Nations, these animals have been revered as teachers, providers and spiritual relatives, with every part used thoughtfully for sustenance, clothing, tools and fuel. That's why tribal communities lead efforts to help them reclaim prairie, wetland and forest habitats, forming social herds led by matriarchs, sparring males and curious calves.

To stand before them is to feel the ancient, the interrupted and the resurgent come together in a single moment. The bison's survival reminds us that heritage is not only remembered—it is lived, woven into the fabric of rugged landscapes and enduring traditions.