Back in 1924, a Hollywood film crew relocated a dozen or so bison to Catalina Island as extras in a silent Western. Although historians are aren’t certain if the film was “The Vanishing American” or “The Thundering Herd,” it’s all academic, because the buffalo scenes were left on the cutting room floor. When time came to transport the burly animals back to the mainland, the film crew left them behind.
Since no one objected to the buffalo staying, including chewing gum magnate, Chicago Cubs owner, and Santa Catalina deed-holder, William Wrigley Jr., they began a residency that’s spanned a 100 years.
Over the next few decades, more bison were added here and there — perhaps to help the herd grow, or maybe as a cool Island oddity for tourism. By the 1960s, there were more than 500 bison thundering around Catalina’s hills. That’s a lot of hoofbeats for such a relatively small Island.
Turns out, though, that buffalo and fragile Island ecosystems don’t mix all that well. As the herd grew, they started overgrazing native plants, compacting soil, and generally throwing nature out of whack. Not their fault — they’re just doing buffalo things. But the Catalina Island Conservancy, which manages most of the land, had to step in.
For years, the Conservancy tried relocating some of the bison to the mainland. In the 1970s, bison roundups were conducted, moving thousands of animals to the mainland — including about 100 to the South Dakota Rosebud Sioux Tribe in 2004. But hauling massive animals by boat was tough, expensive, and pretty stressful for both humans and buffalo.
In 2009, the Conservancy got creative. They started giving female bison birth control shots (yes, really), and the number of calves dropped almost immediately. The last baby bison born on the Island came along in 2013. Today, the herd is holding steady at a much more manageable number, around 80 to 100 animals.
Although buffalo are technically non-native to the Island, the bison have become beloved Island celebrities. You’ll find their images on postcards, souvenirs, and Instagram feeds. Island eateries like Eric’s on the Pier and Pier 24 serve up Bison Burgers (made from mainland meat sources, not the Catalina herd). And, bartenders whip up a cocktail named “Buffalo Milk.”
Coined “the official drink of Catalina Island,” Buffalo Milk consists of coffee liqueur, crème de banana, crème de cacao, vodka, Kahlua, banana and whipped cream. Originally created by a bartender at Harbor Reef in Two Harbors, the drink can be enjoyed at a number of Island restaurants and watering holes, including Avalon Grill, Descanso Beach Club, Pier 24, and Maggie’s Blue Rose.
Tourists love them. Locals take pride in them. Conservationists… well, they have mixed feelings. But there’s no denying that the bison are part of what makes the Island uniquely Catalina. If you’re hoping to spot some real-life buffalo on your next Catalina trip, here’s how to do it:
Book a Jeep/Bison Tour — The Catalina Island Company and Conservancy-run “Bison Expedition” tours that take you to their rugged inland habitats. Perhaps your best bet. Head deep into the Island’s interior, where the bison usually hang out. You’ll ride past rugged canyons, ocean views, and (hopefully) some big, hairy beasts.
Hike the Trans-Catalina Trail — Feeling adventurous? This 38.5-mile trail crosses the Island from end to end. You might see bison near Little Harbor or in more remote stretches. Just remember: they may look slow and chill, but they can run fast and aren’t interested in a selfie with you.
Casual Sightings — Sometimes, you’ll get lucky and spot a few from scenic drives or even from town if they’ve wandered closer. Avalon’s inland roads offer some good vantage points.
Bison Events — Catalina celebrates National Bison Day every November with guided hikes, photo contests, and more. It’s a fun time to visit if you’re a fan of these giant grass-munchers.
Here’s the bittersweet part: since the birth control program started, no new calves have been born. That means the herd is slowly aging out. If nothing changes, there might be no bison left on the Island by the 2050s. But the Catalina Island Conservancy is okay with that. Their goal is to protect Catalina’s natural ecosystem, and having bison around forever doesn’t really fit into that plan.
For now, the herd remains a thriving homage to old-school Hollywood, Island folklore, marketing opportunism, a model of modern conservation, and quirky Island history.
There’s nowhere else on Earth where you can catch an ocean ferry to a California beach town — then find yourself face to face with the mighty beasts of the great American prairie. But when you visit, be respectful, keep your distance, take a few photos, and raise a glass of Buffalo Milk in their honor.
Finally, if all this talk of buffalo has got you yearning for an obscure ballad about Catalina’s bison, then you’re in luck. Take a listen to “Island Buffalo,” by singer-songwriter Dean Acevedo; this deep cut is available on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=NRU5GbeNUIk.
