As American settlers pushed West in the early 1800s, a lucrative trade for the fur, skin, and meat of the American bison began in the Great Plains.

Bison slaughter was even encouraged by the US government as a means of starving out Native American populations, which relied on the bison for food. In fact, hunting of bison became so prevalent that travelers on trains in the Midwest would shoot bison during long-haul train trips.

Once numbering around 20 to 30 million in North America, the population of the American bison decreased to less than 1,000 by 1890, resulting in the near-extinction of the species. By the end of the century, only 325 were thought to survive in America.

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Share it: Email And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts: Haunting Photos Of The Galveston Hurricane Of 1900, The Deadliest Disaster In American History America's Darkest Hour: 39 Haunting Photos Of The Civil War 38 Rousing Photos Of The American Workers That Helped The Allies Win World War II 1 of 26 This mountain of bison skulls shows how quickly the population was being depleted in the 1800s. Wikimedia Commons 2 of 26 Unspecified location, 1905. New York Public Library 3 of 26 In the 1870's, one railroad company shipped almost 500,000 bison hides to the East. Pinterest 4 of 26 Hunters charge at a herd, 1917. Library of Congress 5 of 26 "Geronimo standing over dead buffalo, with Native men and boys in ceremonial dress standing behind him, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, 1906." Library of Congress 6 of 26 This photo of a woman on a cart drawn by two bison was understandably titled "A Daring Act." It was taken in 1910. Library of Congress 7 of 26 A herd of American bison drinking at a lake in Yellowstone National Park, 1905. Library of Congress 8 of 26 A man holds a rifle on top of a dead bison in an 1897 print titled "Glory enough for one day's hunt." Library of Congress 9 of 26 A Teton Native American performs the Hu Kalowa Pi ceremony with a bison skull, 1907. Edward Curtis 10 of 26 A herd in Montana, 1909. Library of Congress 11 of 26 By the end of the 19th century, only 325 bison were still living in North America. Blogspot 12 of 26 Unspecified location, circa 1904. New York Public Library 13 of 26 A 1908 photo features a painting of Native Americans hunting for bison by covering themselves in bison skins and lying on top of their horses. Library of Congress 14 of 26 Yellowstone, circa 1895-1920. New York Public Library 15 of 26 South Dakota, 1911. New York Public Library 16 of 26 Cowboys pursue bison in Butte, Montana, 1909. Library of Congress 17 of 26 Unspecified location, circa 1903. New York Public Library 18 of 26 Bison hunting in Yellowstone, date unspecified. New York Public Library 19 of 26 American bison grazing in Wichita National Forest, circa 1860-1920. New York Public Library 20 of 26 Minnesota hunters with their trophies, 1926. Wikimedia Commons 21 of 26 Buffalo graze at Yellowstone, 1904. Library of Congress 22 of 26 This photo taken in Yellowstone National Park in 1903 was captioned the "Last remnants of the American Bison." Library of Congress 23 of 26 American bison grazing at unspecified location, circa 1900. Library of Congress 24 of 26 A 1916 photo shows California bison grazing. It was captioned: "The famous American Bison that once roamed in countless thousands over our vast prairies." Library of Congress 25 of 26 Today, because of aggressive conservation efforts, the American bison population has rebounded to approximately 500,000.



Pictured: Bison roam the Black Hills of South Dakota in 2001. David McNew/Getty Images 26 of 26 Like this gallery?

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Haunting Photos From The Era That Almost Wiped Out The American Bison View Gallery

Thanks in large part to conservation efforts undertaken by Theodore Roosevelt and by the US government, there are now more than 500,000 bison in America.

Above, take a look at photos and drawings from a time when bison-killing was an unchallenged -- even promoted -- part of life in the Wild West.

Next, read about how experts fear that giraffes are being driven to extinction. Or learn how an extinct cave lion species might be brought back to life.