Sturgeon River Plains Bison herd

In 1969, 50 plains bison were relocated from Elk Island National Park to the Thunder Hills area in north central Saskatchewan by the provincial government. The newly released bison dispersed and a small number of them relocated into the south west corner of Prince Albert National Park. Over the next 40 years the bison population grew to over 400 animals, but following an outbreak of anthrax in 2008 the population has been steadily declining. Several years of monitoring bison and wolf populations have indicated three underlying factors that influence this population decline: disease, wolf predation and harvesting by humans when bison leave the park.

Completed in 2013, the Sturgeon River Plains Bison Management Plan aims to ensure these animals remain a self-sustaining, free-ranging population, capable of existing as a natural part of the regional ecosystem. This management plan was created with support from the Sturgeon River Plains Bison Stewards, a volunteer organization supported by local land-owners, local municipalities, wildlife NGO’s, local Indigenous communities, Parks Canada and the province of Saskatchewan. The plan outlines a number of strategies aimed at improving bison habitat and deterring bison from leaving the park in an overall effort to curb conflict and reduce harvest rates.

• Learn more about the Sturgeon River Plains Bison Herd