Wolves leave new bison neighbours alone in Banff National Park

Wolves in Banff National Park haven't yet tried to take down one of their new neighbours.

The herd of bison was reintroduced to the park last summer and has roamed free ever since.

The wolves know the bison have moved in but they haven't yet attacked their natural prey something that will come with time,Parks Canada resource conservation manager Bill Hunt says.

Wolves are one of the few species bold enough to try to take down a bison, Hunt says. He thinks it could be several years before they get the courage. Then, he says, they'll likely go after a yearling or calf.

"Bison are the largest land mammal in North America. Even compared to a moose or something. It's a really large prey item," Hunt said.

"They travel in herds, unlike moose that are singular and compared to an elk it's a much larger and more formidable animal."

The delay iscompletely natural and expected, he says, and staff are watching the situation closely.

They have collared two wolves in the Red Deer-Clearwater pack, so staff can collect satellite data to track the animals. That's shown the wolves have checked out the bison at times.

"We can sort of watch it on a virtual reality scene with the satellite data," Hunt said. "They spent, you know, upwards of half an hour in the same area as the bison."

He says the lack of attacks will give the herd of 34 bison time to grow.