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Alberta Bison Brave 40-Hour Trek to Alaska
17 Apr
Summary
- 44 Alberta wood bison calves successfully relocated to Alaska.
- The journey involved a 40-hour trip on challenging northern roads.
- This transfer is part of a long-standing agreement to conserve bison.
Forty-four wood bison calves, all under a year old and raised in Alberta, have successfully reached their new home in Fairbanks, Alaska. The arduous journey spanned 40 hours, navigating treacherous northern roads, with the animals traveling in a specialized cattle liner equipped with bedding, water, and hay. A tranquilizer was administered to help calm the young bison during their non-stop trip.
Park staff meticulously prepared for this transfer, which included a 60-day quarantine period for the selected calves. This event marks the fourth wood bison herd transfer from Elk Island National Park to Alaska since 2008, underscoring a sustained conservation partnership. An agreement is in place for another transfer in two years, continuing efforts to bolster the Alaskan bison population, which comprises over 170 individuals originating from Elk Island.
The relocation program is a crucial component of a federal initiative to safeguard the wood bison species, which was once critically endangered. Elk Island National Park, instrumental in bison conservation since the early 1900s, utilizes such transfers to manage its populations and reintroduce bison into suitable natural habitats. This initiative reflects a broader strategy for species survival.
