Wildlife management

Like the ecosystems in which they live, wildlife within Canada’s National Parks are to be managed with minimal interference to natural processes. However, active management of wildlife may be required when the natural function of an ecosystem has been altered. Wildlife management may include a single animal or entire animal populations that have been effected by a disruption to its natural environment. Active management in Parks Canada places might involve a wide variety of activities - for example, restricting activities such as fishing to protect aquatic species, reducing animal attractants to minimize habituation to humans, conducting prescribed fires, managing hyper-abundant wildlife populations, etc.

In Prince Albert National Park, there is a focus on three primary areas of active wildlife management: the declining population of the Sturgeon River plains bison on the west side of the park, visitor safety and minimizing human-animal conflict; and protecting lake trout populations. Ecological monitoring is used to determine if there are issues with wildlife and the ecosystems in which they live. Monitoring also helps determine what factors may be affecting the health of the parks ecosystems and guides the planning and success of active management projects.

• Sturgeon River Plains Bison Herd
• Human-Wildlife Conflict
• Fisheries