Wildlife: Saskatchewan's Grasslands National Park, 1 by Lilypon

Lilypon wrote:
Coming Full Circle – Bison Release

Plains bison were re-introduced in Grasslands National Park in December 2005, after 120 years of absence. This vast, wind swept prairie evolved with bison, drought, periodic fire and variable continental climate. Prior to European settlement, the prairies were home to millions of free-roaming bison. By the 1880's many changes had occurred on the landscape and the large herds that once roamed were nearly gone. A great deal of consultation with stakeholders, neighbours and specialists has led to this day. * The initial herd consisted of 71 bison, including 30 male calves, 30 female calves and 11 yearlings. * These bison arrived from Elk Island National Park, which has been the ‘seed source’ of Canadian bison for many years as they maintain an extensive health database, have no cattle nor wood bison genes and are free from disease. * The bison were released into a 16.2-hectare (40 acre) holding facility where they remained over winter to allow time to become adapted to their new surroundings. On May 24, 2006, the bison were released into the largest parcel of the West Block, which totals approximately 181 square kilometres (70 square miles). This portion was chosen due to its large size, natural water source and access for park visitors. * The public were invited to celebrate the bison release on that day and now are able to view bison in their natural habitat. * The bison reintroduction will become a focal point for educational programming in the future.

Construction of a perimeter bison fence began in the park in Spring 2005 and was completed in October 2005. The fence consists of five strands of barbed wire on seven-foot posts. The bottom wire is at 18 inches from the ground to allow for easy antelope movement, and the top wire is at 54 inches with the top two wires smooth for deer safety.

As outlined in the 2002 Grasslands National Park Management Plan, bison are being reintroduced primarily to restore a ‘grazing regime’ of large herbivores in the park. Secondly, they are symbolic of the prairies and provide visitors a greater diversity of native species. Thirdly, they will add to the Canadian and greater North American conservation efforts for bison. Bison were listed in the Park Management Plan as the preferred species for the restoration of grazing whenever possible. Grazing in the park will complement the stewardship activities on the surrounding ranch lands and provide habitats for a variety of wildlife species.

The re-introduction of bison into Grasslands National Park is an excellent example of the three pillars for our work at Parks Canada – protecting the natural and cultural resources of the park, providing innovative educational opportunities and facilitating memorable experiences where visitors can connect and enjoy this truly unique landscape