Located a short walk from Market Street, this herd traces its roots to 1962, when Walt Disney donated a herd of American Bison to William S. Hart Regional Park. Often incorrectly called buffalo,” bison are native to the Midwestern prairies and can live up to 40 years in captivity. In 2016, the American Bison was designated the National mammal of the United States.This herd retains many of its wild characteristics. If a bison’s tail hangs down and swings naturally, the animal is calm. If the tail stands straight up, it might be ready to charge. Bison are highly unpredictable and can be dangerous. They can spin quickly, jump up to 6 feet, and run at speeds up to 35 mph. They have excellent senses of smell and hearing. The largest North American mammals, bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds - larger than grizzly bears, moose or elk. They consume about 1.6 percent of their total body weight daily.Please do not feed them, as they have strict dietary requirements.