The prairies of North America.
This rich pasture
once supported the greatest herds ever seen on our planet.
There were once 60 million bison
but no animal is immune to intensive hunting by man
or the destruction of its habitat
and a century ago
the bison were reduced to barely 1,000.
Now,
thanks to rigorous protection,
the species is recovering.
The growing season is long
and the grass here can support herds all year round.
Male bison weigh in at one tonne.
In high summer
the bulls are fat from the rich grazing
and in prime condition
but only a few will mate.
Exactly which few
is about to be decided.