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Giant Bison Statues Honor North America's National Mammal
22 Mar
Summary
- Three larger-than-life bronze bison statues are now on display.
- The statues were sculpted by Gary Staab in Missouri.
- Bison became the national mammal via a 2016 law.
Three monumental bronze bison statues, each larger than life, now stand as a permanent exhibit outside the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. Unveiled on Friday, March 20, 2026, these sculptures are a tribute to America's 250th birthday celebration.
The bison, officially recognized as the United States' national mammal by a law signed in 2016, have a profound history. Once numbering in the millions across the Great Plains, they faced near extinction in the 1800s, making their recovery a celebrated conservation achievement.
These magnificent statues were created by paleoartist Gary Staab at his studio in Kearney, Missouri. Staab spent approximately four months sculpting the bull, cow, and calf figures in foam and clay before they were cast in bronze and assembled. The artist described the process as remarkably swift for pieces of such scale.
Staab views the bison as a symbol of North America's unique and beautiful natural heritage. Their installation marks a significant moment, highlighting conservation efforts and the resilience of this iconic species.
