The Wolakota Buffalo Range on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota is currently recognized as home to the largest Native-owned (privately managed by the Siċaŋġu Co) bison herd in the world, managing over 1,000 animals across 28,000 acres. Historically, Ted Turner was known for owning the largest private collection of bison in the US, with upwards of 45,000 animals spread across multiple ranches. However, the Wolakota project is unique because it focuses on "restorative" bison management—using the herd to heal the local ecosystem and provide food sovereignty to the Lakota people. These private herds are critical to the species' survival, as they maintain genetic diversity outside of national parks. They represent a shift from commercial livestock farming toward ecological stewardship, where the bison are allowed to roam freely in a way that mimics their historical migration patterns on the Great Plains.