WCS scientists in our Global Conservation Program and in our zoos and aquarium issued a list of nine iconic wildlife species that are recovering in 2019 due to conservation action.

WASHINGTON (November 1, 2017) – For the fifth time in five years, the U.S. Senate has passed a resolution marking National Bison Day as the first Saturday in November, which falls this year on November 4th. The resolution comes a year after bison were adopted as the U.S. National Mammal through an act of Congress. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NOVEMBER 4, 2016) – The American Bison Coalition, on behalf of its steering members is joining scores of bison-friendly groups, organizations and businesses around the country this month to celebrate our country’s first National Bison Day since the North American bison was officially adopted as the U.S. National Mammal. 

July 27, 2016 – A team of conservation biologists is calling for a worldwide strategy to prevent the unthinkable: the extinction of the world’s largest mammal species.

The Vote Bison Coalition held a special reception at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian to celebrate the adoption of the North American bison as America’s national mammal. 

NEW YORK (May 9, 2016) – The following is a statement from John Calvelli, WCS Executive Vice President for Public Affairs:

 Cristián Samper, WCS President and CEO, said: “The National Bison Legacy Act is a milestone in a long journey by WCS, its flagship Bronx Zoo, and many other partners to prevent the bison from going extinct and to recognize the bison’s ecological, cultural, historical and economic importance to the United States.”

April 26, 2016 – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the National Bison Legacy Act, leaving only Senate passage and President Obama’s signature to officially make bison the National Mammal of the United States.

April 5, 2016 – The Blackfeet Nation,  Elk Island National Park in Alberta, Canada (Elk Island), the Oakland Zoo and WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) announced today that 88 plains bison have been transferred from Elk Island to the reservation of the Blackfeet Nation near Browning, Montana. 

WASHINGTON (December 4, 2015) – The Vote Bison Coalition hailed the Senate passage of the National Bison Legacy Act as a major step toward officially recognizing one of America’s most iconic animals as the National Mammal of the United States.