The MeatEater Podcast Ep. 823: Restoring Alaska's Wild Buffalo
Host: Steven Rinella
Guest: Tom Seaton, Wood Bison Project Biologist, Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game
Release Date: January 19, 2026
Episode Overview
In this episode, Steven Rinella delves into one of the most ambitious wildlife restoration projects in North America: the reintroduction and stewardship of wild wood bison in Alaska. Joined by Tom Seaton, the biologist heading Alaska's wood bison efforts, the episode explores the history, challenges, real-life stories, and ecological significance of bringing bison back to the Alaskan landscape after over a century of absence. The discussion is rich with historical context, conservation policy, science, and candid anecdotes, offering valuable insight for anyone passionate about wild places, wildlife management, or the future of bison in North America.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Why is Bison Recovery So Unusual?
[03:04–12:08]
- The American bison's recovery is unique because, despite existing habitat and restoration opportunities, their movements are legally restricted, often treated more like livestock than wildlife.
- Example: Yellowstone bison lose "wildlife" status when crossing into Montana, controlled by the Department of Livestock, unlike other animals (elk, moose, etc.).
“Everybody can leave the park, but not him. If he leaves the park, we're going to shoot him.” (B, 07:19)
- In contrast, Colorado recently passed legislation treating bison that wander in naturally as wildlife, unlike Montana which resists such acceptance.
2. Bison in Alaska: Historical and Present Reality
[12:08–16:30]
- Alaska now hosts about 10% of truly wild, unfenced bison left in North America (~1,000 out of 10,000 worldwide).
- Most prime historical bison habitat is now agricultural land, making restoration elsewhere in the Lower 48 very complicated.
- Tom Seaton: "There's not a lot of habitat left for wild bison to be wild anymore... Alaska has around 10% of the world's wild bison, really, which is shocking." (A, 12:56)
3. Wood Bison vs. Plains Bison: Ecology and Identity
[16:30–21:35]
- Two main subspecies:
- Plains bison (widely recognized, southern range)
- Wood bison (adapted to northern boreal forests – Alaska, northern Canada)
- Physical differences: wood bison are larger, less shaggy, have different horn and hump structures, and are quieter during rut.
"Plains bison have a much more forward hump... The way their hair lays on the body is a little bit different... Wood bison just kind of has curly hair along its whole body." (A, 18:50)
4. Alaska’s Bison History and Archaeological Record
[21:35–25:33]
- Wood bison persisted in Alaska for the last 10,000 years, with evidence (bones, oral histories) of their existence until ~170 years ago.
- Memorable prophecy from indigenous oral tradition:
"When this young girl grows up and her children grow up, then the bison will come back. And the cool thing is... it's about now." (A quoting oral tradition, 25:20)
5. Restoration Policy: Not Just “Put 'em Back”
[29:58–37:32]
- Alaska only releases animals native to an area; evidence of historic wood bison populations helps gain political and legal support for restoration.
- Endangered Species Act (ESA) complications: wood bison are listed, requiring environmental assessments, special “nonessential experimental” status allowing hunting.
- Sourcing animals: Elk Island National Park (Canada) as the primary source for disease-free, carefully managed wood bison, at significant cost and logistics.
6. Site Selection and Community Buy-In
[38:27–44:00]
- Extensive public consultation and feasibility assessment since the 1990s.
- Three top habitats identified: Lower Anoko Flats, Minto Flats (wetland complexes), and Yukon Flats.
- Industry (oil/gas) supported Anoko Flats to avoid conflicts with ESA listings impeding development elsewhere.
7. Logistics of Bison Release
[54:23–63:21]
- Remote, roadless areas required moving bison via truck, airplane, and barge—hundreds of miles.
- Soft-release (enclosure acclimation) and hard-release (direct to wild) strategies.
- Bison quickly explored and mapped suitable habitats, even discovering optimal wintering grounds unknown to biologists.
“Their understanding of navigation and habitat is so much greater than us... it's pretty cool.” (A, 63:05)
8. Wandering Outliers: Bison Road Trips
[65:42–77:22]
- Most bison stayed put; a few made epic journeys, some over 150 miles, exploring random marshes or even becoming local celebrities.
- One lone cow thrived in isolation for over a decade; another wandering cow was shot after being mistaken for a muskox, prompting a public apology and discussions about local education and attitudes.
“We called her like a diplomat, because everywhere she went, everybody was writing us letters and calling…” (A, 74:45)
9. Population Setbacks: Climate and Mortality
[80:10–86:55]
- Despite initial growth, catastrophic winters with deep, icy snows caused drastic population losses (up to 50% in a single winter).
- Bison are highly vulnerable to ice-locked forage and drowning, due to low buoyancy.
- Comparison: Plains bison herds have survived for a century in Alaska, though on somewhat less scientific footing than current wood bison efforts.
10. Current and Future Prospects: More Releases, Potential for Thousands
[87:03–100:01]
- Second major release on Minto Flats launched in 2025, with more stable climate and habitat conditions hoped for.
- Yukon Flats assessed as having potential for 2,000+ animals—possibly outcompeting Yellowstone as the largest wild bison reserve if things go well.
11. Regulation, Hunting, and Public Trust
[103:46–116:50]
- Alaska’s regulatory system: Board of Game decides on hunting, with input from a broad, inclusive public planning process.
- Proposals for future hunting structure include draws, local registration, and potentially scholarship/trespass fees for local benefit.
- Guaranteeing local participation and support is key; however, current numbers do not yet support hunting.
12. The Broader Conservation Picture
[116:56–126:26]
- Host and guest reflect on the importance of hunter buy-in for building public, huntable bison herds, despite absent enthusiasm in the Lower 48.
"I wish more hunters were involved in building up public, publicly owned herds... as a long-term play of restoring this really important game species onto the American landscape." (B, 117:00)
- Success is experimental and not guaranteed, but modeled after history and existing herds.
Notable Quotes
-
On the Boundaries of “Wild” Bison:
“If he leaves the park, we're going to shoot him...Or round him up.” (B, 07:19)
-
On Alaska’s Significance:
“Alaska has around 10% of the world's wild bison, really, which is shocking.” (A, 12:56)
-
On the ESA and Restoration:
“The Endangered Species act itself has probably been the biggest detriment to wood bison restoration in Alaska, because every time we'd want to do something, the bureaucracy and political nature... just makes it extremely difficult.” (A, 45:43)
-
On Community Engagement:
“The input from the public at large that came in... was overwhelmingly positive. And that really set the course for Alaska Department of Fish and Game to pursue wood bison restoration in the state.” (A, 38:27)
-
On Bison Resilience and Mystery:
“Here you have these animals that haven't been wild during their lifetimes that can just navigate a landscape so well… their understanding of navigation and habitat is so much greater than us... it's pretty cool.” (A, 63:05)
-
On the Long-Term Hope:
“If you can maintain [25% population growth] over the long term, they'll be in the thousands in a short time, a couple decades.” (A, 85:04)
-
On the Forgotten Game Animal:
“It’s like the forgotten game animal... They were slumming it when they ate deer meat, they were slumming it when they ate pronghorn. That's what they wanted.” (B, 120:10)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Bison as Not-Quite-Wild in the Lower 48: 03:04–12:08
- Alaska’s Current and Historical Bison: 12:08–16:30
- Differences: Wood vs. Plains Bison: 16:30–21:35
- Oral Tradition and Prophecy: 23:41–25:32
- Sourcing & Importing Bison: 32:30–34:30
- Site Selection Rationale: 38:27–41:18
- Release Logistics (Planes, Barges): 54:23–63:21
- Epic Bison Dispersals & Community Reaction: 65:42–77:22
- Population Losses, Climate Impact: 80:10–86:55
- Future Yukon Flats Site Potential: 98:28–100:09
- Possibility of Regulated Hunting: 103:46–116:50
- Conservation Philosophy and Hope: 116:56–126:26
Memorable Moments
- A Bison’s Prophetic Return: The anecdote about an elder predicting bison would return two generations after their disappearance—and that the timing is now.
- The ‘Diplomat’ Bison: One lone cow's 150-mile journey through various villages; beloved by communities, ultimately shot by a confused hunter, leading to a village radio apology.
- Bison Resilience and Navigation: Released, formerly captive bison rapidly navigating vast, unexplored landscapes and finding unknown wintering spots—a testament to their instinct.
- Contrast to Turkeys:
“We have wild turkeys in 49 states now. Why is that? ... Because it just—no one—people have looked. No one can go and find where they're causing harm. ... I hope it can be that way with bison, and I think it can be.” (B/A, 125:24)
Resources Mentioned
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game – Wood Bison Restoration Project
- Academic Paper: “Wood Bison in the Late Holocene Alaska and Adjacent Paleontological, Archaeological and Historical Records” (Bob Stevenson et al., 2001)
Tone and Style
This episode is forthright, epistemic, and full of conservation passion. Rinella’s tone is irreverent and friendly, while Seaton offers methodical, thoughtful expertise. Jokes, honest frustrations, and practical realism make this an engaging and accessible listen for everyone—hunter, biologist, or conservationist.
Note:
This summary skips over advertisements, sponsor messages, and closing banter, focusing solely on the rich discussion and thematic content of the episode.