Bison

Scientific names: Bison bison (American) and Bison bonasus (European)

Size: 1.8-2m for the American bison, 1.8-2.2m for the European bison

Origin: North America and Europe respectively

Diet: Herbivore

IUCN status: Near Threatened (both species)

Threats: Overhunting, loss of habitat to agriculture

Zoos I have seen them: Emerald Park, Tierpark Hellabrunn and Diergaarde Blijdorp (American bison); Fota Wildlife Park and Highland Wildlife Park (European bison)

Interesting fact: The American bison is the largest land animal in North America. The same title is held by its European counterpart.