Bison: Feel the Thunder

The Film

Follow a year in the life of the American bison in the 45-minute film Bison: Feel the Thunder, from giving birth to fights between powerful bulls to attacks by wolves to surviving harsh winters. And see how bison benefit grassland ecosystems from feeding predators and scavengers to recycling nutrients to spreading seeds to changing bird and mammal communities. And see how the bison's world and survival is far from certain in a changing world.

Why Bison Matter

As the film shows, bison are a keystone species that profoundly shape grassland ecosystems, support and affect other wildlife, and are central to the culture and identify of many indigenous cultures. Bison are so important that they were declared the national mammal of the United States, and are viewed as an important wildlife species in both Canada and Mexico.

Yet they face an uncertain future in a changing world. Many bison herds are no longer influenced by natural stressors such as predators and severe winters; rather, the bison are adapting to being managed similar to livestock. It seems inevitable their behavior, their physiology, their genetics, and other traits will adapt to their new environment. All of that is exacerbated by climate change.

Get in Touch

Questions or thoughts? We’d love to hear from you.