Watch these cowboys risk it all to save the American bison

The bison is a living symbol of the American West. Despite once roaming the plains in numbers greater than 30 million, this iconic animal has recently come dangerously close to extinction. By 1900, extensive hunting and fur trading had reduced their population to less than one thousand. Although much progress has been made over the past century, conservationists are still working diligently to bring back the magnificent beast of the plains.

This video is part of the Short Film Showcase, which spotlights exceptional short videos created by filmmakers from around the web and selected by National Geographic editors.