Bison thrive living on Camp Pendleton - A plain bison herd roams the hills on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April 19, 2023. Bison are not native to the San Diego area. The non-native wild herd of plains bison currently living on the installation descended from 14 founding animals donated by the San Diego Zoo that were released between 1973 and 1979. As of fall 2011, the herd had grown to approximately 120 animals. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shaina Jupiter)

A large bison herd roams Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton on April 6, 2021. Camp Pendleton was given 14 Plains Bison from the San Diego Zoo from 1973-1979. Today, the bison herd consists of approximately 90 individuals. Along with another herd on Santa Catalina Island, the herd on Camp Pendleton is one of only two wild conservation herds of bison in all of California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Dylan Chagnon) - A large bison herd roams Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton on April 6, 2021. Camp Pendleton was given 14 Plains Bison from the San Diego Zoo from 1973-1979. Today, the bison herd consists of approximately 90 individuals. Along with another herd on Santa Catalina Island, the herd on Camp Pendleton is one of only two wild conservation herds of bison in all of California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Dylan Chagnon)