The American Buffalo (actually a Bison) was driven close to extermination. From what I've read, there are no true bisons today that are 100% bison. They all have cattle DNA. In some herds, the cattle DNA is of a very small percent. In other herds, its much larger. The native American bull bison can mate with a cow with no genetic problem; i.e. not like a donkey and horse which makes a sterile mule.
As you can see from the photo's, bison that have a small cattle DNA background still look very much like bison. Ted Turner, who founded CNN, has buffalo farms and he sells their meat...the idea is that if they are commercially viable..they will be protected for breeding and herd growth.
