In Wood Buffalo park, more dead bison found; anthrax suspected

More dead bison have been found in Wood Buffalo National Park, and park staff suspect the cause could be an anthrax outbreak.

Fourteen bison were found dead at Sweetgrass Prairie, in the centre of the park, during an aerial search on the weekend. Another animal showing signs of death from anthrax was found on the park's Parsons Lake Road.

"Parsons Lake Road was already closed, but we put a caution tape at both sides of the road where you can enter the area and that carcass will be burned," says Tim Gauthier, a Parks Canada spokesperson.

Burning the carcasses is the one sure way of killing off anthrax spores, Gauthier added.

Thirty-four dead bison were found during an aerial survey last Thursday.

Test results to determine if they died of anthrax are expected back later this week.

Officials say there's no risk to visitors to the park, which is host to about 5,000 bison.

There have been 13 anthrax outbreaks since park officials started keeping records in 1963.