In 1913, 14 bison (6 bulls and 8 cows) were donated to the Wind Cave National Game Preserve by the New York Zoological Society as part of an effort by the American Bison Association to return bison to the Great Plains. Six additional bison (2 bulls and 4 cows) were brought in from Yellowstone National Park in 1916. The present Wind Cave bison herd originated from these 20 animals.