Plains bison reintroduced to Grasslands National Park of Canada

09/04/2007 00:00:00 VAL MARIE, SASKATCHEWAN, May 24, 2006 – Seventy-one plains bison have been released into the West Block of Grasslands National Park of Canada today as part of an innovative project to enhance the park’s ecological integrity.

The 71 bison were transported to Grasslands National Park in mid-December 2005 from Elk Island National Park in Alberta, and wintered in a 16.2-hectare (40 acre) holding facility to allow them to adapt to their new surroundings. The bison were released into the largest parcel of the Grasslands National Park’s West Block, which totals approximately 181 square kilometres (44,800 acres). Grasslands is the first national park of Canada to preserve a portion of the mixed prairie grasslands, and offers both Canadians and international visitors memorable opportunities to experience our rich natural heritage. Through this project, Parks Canada is enhancing those opportunities, protecting the park’s unique ecosystems for future generations, and offering Canadians a chance to see and learn about bison.

Grasslands National Park of Canada is part of a system of national parks, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites that is recognized as one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected areas in the world. Parks Canada works to ensure Canada’s cultural and natural heritage are presented and protected for the enjoyment, education and appreciation of all Canadians, today and in the future. The Prairie Persists project, which includes the reintroduction of bison to the park, was officially launched today by the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.

“This vast, wind swept prairie was home to millions of free-roaming bison prior to European settlement,” said Minister Ambrose. “With the re-introduction of bison – an icon of the prairie – the park will restore grazing to this mixed-grass prairie ecosystem, enhance the long-term integrity of the park and once again give Canadians the opportunity to view these symbols of the prairie after over a century’s absence in this area.”