Yellowstone National Park has completed its annual summer bison population monitoring.

The population is estimated to be 4,900 bison. The estimate is based on a series of aerial surveys. This level is similar to the 2013 summer estimate. The peak population estimate of 5,000 bison was recorded in the summer of 2005.

According to a news release from the park there are approximately 3,500 bison in the Northern herd and 1,400 in the Central herd this summer. There were about 740 calves-of-the-year observed in a June aerial survey.

This population estimate is used to inform adaptive management strategies under the Interagency Bison Management Plan, a cooperative plan designed to conserve a viable, wild bison population while minimizing the risk of brucellosis transmission between bison and cattle.

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