Bringing home the bison

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After vanishing nearly 100 years ago, Plains bison will once again be roaming the prairies of Saskatchewan. On Dec. 12, 2003, 50 young bison arrived at the Old Man On His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area located in the southwest corner of the province.

The herd was transferred from Elk Island National Park in Alberta as part of a joint conservation effort by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), Saskatchewan Environment and Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization. The goal of this project is to preserve this species in their natural habitat. The Plains bison is now so rare that the World Conservation Union has recommended that they be added to the endangered species list.

The Old Man On His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area is a 13,000-acre grassland ranch owned by the NCC that was donated by Peter and Sharon Butala. Elk Island National Park is the only source of Plains bison that are genetically pure and disease free in Canada. Bison are natural grazers and are part of Saskatchewan's natural history.

"We were fortunate enough to purchase these animals and be able to put them into a conservation herd in Saskatchewan," said Bob MacFarlane, regional director of the NCC, Saskatchewan region. "We are very hopeful that in time, as our herd expands, we will be able to work with other agencies to add more of them across the province."

The return of the bison will not only enhance the natural landscape of Saskatchewan, it will provide a link to the province's history and to a way of life long extinct.

"North American Plains bison was a main staple to Plains Indians before European contact," explained Travis Plaited Hair, special events co-ordinator at the Heads-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre located in Fort MacLeod, Alta. "The birth of a white buffalo is very rare and was considered a messenger for the people as a sign of prosperity for the upcoming year. It is a blessing when an animal like that is born. It is considered a miracle."

The reintroduction of the bison is part of a long-term stewardship plan for the conservation area that will include restoring the original native species, returning 1,000 acres of cultivated land to natural prairie, restoring the Butala homestead, working with neighbouring landowners to conserve and restore native prairie, carrying out an archaeological and biological inventory, and ultimately constructing a visitor centre.

"Our long-term goal is to create educational opportunities," said MacFarlane. "We would like to establish the ranch itself so that in five to 10 years there will be opportunities for educational programs as a result of the conservation work."