American bison in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

© Ian Shive/TANDEM Stills + Motio

Power and grace. American bison

Once upon a time, in the boundless grasslands of North America, there roamed creatures of great strength and majesty—the American bison. These animals were a key part of life for many Native American tribes, providing food, clothing and tools. Their population dwindled perilously low in the late 1800s, falling from as many as 60 million to fewer than 1,000 due to excessive hunting and disease. Enter a group of conservationists, ranchers and Native Americans who stepped in to save the species. Now, over 500,000 bison roam again, many in protected areas like Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, United States, featured in today's image.

From the Yukon and the Northwest Territories to the northern portions of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan, they are deeply embedded in Canadian culture. It's no wonder the bison was officially adopted as the mammal of Manitoba in 2014. Bison are North America's largest mammals, and they have been introduced as far away as Russia. While the bison has made a heroic recovery, the story isn't over. These animals still face challenges, including habitat loss and hunting.