Bison baby boom: 16 new calves join Banff National Park's herd - Action News
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Bison baby boom: 16 new calves join Banff National Park's herd

A pilot project that began four years ago with 16 bison being introduced to Banff National Park has grown to a herd of 63 healthy animals, including 16 new calves.

'They're frolicking and nursing and playing,' says Parks Canada official

This image of two mature bison and one calf is from a trail cam. The photo was taken in October 2020. (Submitted by Parks Canada)

A pilot project that beganwith 16 bison being introduced to Banff National Park has led to a bison baby boomand a healthyherd of 63animals that includes16new calves.

Those keeping an eye on the herd initially reported 13 new calves last week, but anticipated that more had been born since the count. Three more were spotted byMonday morning.

"They've been incredibly healthy and they're faring really well in their new habitat," said Saundi Stevens, resource management officer for Banff National Park.

The herd was introduced to the park in February 2017 as part of the five-year Banff Bison Reintroduction Project.

The aim is to test the reintroduction of wild plains bison to the park's ecosystem.

Stevens says the annual growth rate of the herd is "upwards of 30 per cent" and that is a good indicator the herd is healthy.

The animals are tracked from a distance using spotting scopes and trail cameras.

Part of the reason for the high herd growth, says Saundi Stevens, is that natural predators like wolves are still learning about the bison, which haven't been in the area in nearly 150 years. (Submitted by Parks Canada)

Calves crossing rivers, climbing mountains

Stevens says that within minutes of being born, the new calves are highly active.

"At this young age, they're just lively. They're frolicking and nursing and playing," she said.

"And what's most amazing is they're traveling and keeping up with the main herd," she said.

She says they are able to fordrivers and climb mountainsides to keep up.

"I think just the most fascinating part of this is just seeing how well they're settling into their landscape," said Stevens.

Saundi Stevens, a resource management officer for Banff National Park working specifically on the bison reintroduction project, says the team keeps track of the herd from a distance, using scopes and trail cams. (Dave Gilson/CBC Calgary)

Herd safety

The herd's high growth rate is likely due to the fact they haven't experienced many effects of natural population management yet. There has been no deaths of the mature animals so far.

Stevens says wolves may not be used to preying on them because bison had not been in thearea for 140 years.

"We're seeing mutual curiosity between bison and wolves but right now I don't think the wolves have quite discovered what potential prey source the bison can be," she said.

Of the three young bison that died last year, Stevens believes one was caused by wolves, who will typically prey on young calves during calving season.

The others died by unknown causes. So far this year, one calf has died.

The herd is currently contained to a 1,200-square-kilometre reintroduction zone, on the park's eastern slopes.
The herd is contained to a 1,200-square-kilometre reintroduction zone, in the park on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. (Submitted by Parks Canada)

Roaming for food

The herd is contained to a 1,200-square-kilometre reintroduction zone, on the park's eastern slopes.

At this time of year, they are grazing on grasses, sedges and foliage like willow bushes.

Stevens says the herd moves quickly, and during the summer they will move up to higher alpine areas where "the vegetation growth is far more succulent and palatable and nutritious to the bison."

"They're really occupying all corners of the reintroduction zone," she said.

Clarifications

  • A previous version of this story stated that 13 bison calves had been added to the herd. Three more were spotted and reported by Parks Canada on Monday morning, bringing the total to 16.
    Jul 05, 2021 9:42 AM MT

With files from Dave Gilson and Sarah Rieger