Parks Canada officials are trying to determine what’s next for a herd of plains bison in Banff National Park after a draft report shows that reintroduction into the park’s backcountry has been successful.
The report on a five-year project, published online earlier this week, says the bison herd in the national park in Alberta has grown to more than 80 animals from the 16 animals relocated from Elk Island National Park near Edmonton in 2017.
Parks Canada declined an interview request, but the report on the project says it worked.
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“The five-year pilot represents the most recent efforts by Parks Canada to support the recovery of plains bison and has identified Banff National Park as a viable location where bison can successfully exist on the landscape,” it says.
“With these positive findings, it is recommended that bison remain in a controlled and measured form on the landscape in the area.”
The report says the bison remained healthy and showed a good growth rate with minimal deaths, adapted well to the mountain habitat and stayed mostly within the park boundaries.
Three bison bulls wandered out of the park in the summer of 2018, after the animals were allowed to roam wild. One of those animals was shot outside the park by wildlife staff, while the other two were taken to fenced enclosures in Waterton Lakes National Park and Rocky Mountain House Historic Site. The report says a fourth bull wandered out of the park in 2021 and was also killed by wildlife staff. Two calves died of natural causes in 2019 and 2020, it says.
No other animals in the park were negatively affected and there were no reports of threats to public safety or damage to property, the report said.
It adds that the project strengthened relationships with several First Nations, which included ceremonies to bless the animals, as well as annual women’s and youth treks to see the herd.
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The project also provided some educational programs for visitors to learn about bison online and in person.
Parks Canada is taking feedback from the public, including Indigenous communities, on what they think of the project until Dec. 14 to determine next steps.
“It is anticipated that, in addition to this report, engagement with the report will set the stage for bison management for the next 10 years and beyond,” the draft report says.
Marie-Eve Marchand, who was part of the Bison Belong campaign to bring the animals back to Banff and organizes the native hikes to see the herd, said it was a good report.
“It’s beautiful to see what giving the bison some space and giving them five years to establish their home (has been accomplished),” she said Friday. “There are so many positives, even in such a short period of time.
“They are here to stay.”
Marchand said one of the next steps should consider a shared responsibility for the herd with indigenous communities.
“There’s a lot of room to grow in relationships and learning,” she said.
Diandra Bruised Head, a member of the Kainai Nation who went on the women’s hike to see the bison, said she was happy to hear the project was successful.
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“I’m immensely proud, but I’m not surprised,” she said in an interview.
Bruised Head said bison – or buffalo, as they are traditionally known by indigenous people – are a perfect example of how Western science can be balanced with traditional knowledge.
“It’s more than just putting animals back,” she said. “Buffalo, to me … is a sign of hope.”
An Indigenous-led report released in April said relying on traditional knowledge could help ensure the continued success of the bison in the park.
The Stoney Nakoda Nation, east of Banff, conducted a cultural assessment on the bison as an important species for indigenous people.
A team worked with elders, knowledge holders and youth to gain a better understanding of bison habitat, behavior and practices from an indigenous perspective. It found the bison helped Stoney Nakoda people reconnect with their traditional lands, migration routes, campsites and hunting and gathering sites in the park.
The Indigenous report included 11 recommendations to ensure the continued success of the project and for collaborative management of the bison herd.
These include the continuation of the program after the pilot project, the holding of ceremony with First Nations at the beginning of each new phase and the fact that cultural monitoring field work can be continued.
Stoney Nakoda Nation also called for the reintroduction zone to be expanded to include the rest of the park and asked that the park allow First Nations to harvest animals once the herd gets too large.
© 2022 The Canadian Press
