Home / Environment / Bison Calf's Great Escape: A Manitoba Adventure
Bison Calf's Great Escape: A Manitoba Adventure
8 Mar
Summary
- An 11-month-old bison calf briefly escaped its herd in Manitoba.
- The calf was safely returned after a few hours of freedom.
- This event occurred as the herd prepared for its second calving season.
An 11-month-old bison calf experienced a brief period of freedom after straying from its herd at the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation in southeastern Manitoba. The calf was first spotted on a road shortly after midnight on March 6, 2026. Community members, including ranch hands and police, worked together to locate and safely return the young animal.
The calf was eventually found in a wooded area near the ranch and gently guided back to the herd. Ranch hands explained that younger calves are beginning to learn independence as the pasture is being prepared for the upcoming calving season. This involves separating older calves from the main herd within the next few weeks.
The reintroduction of bison to these traditional lands is a significant initiative. Brokenhead Chief Gordon Bluesky expressed relief at the calf's safe return, noting the presence of wildlife in the area. The bison were acquired from Sakimay First Nation as part of the Buffalo Treaty, aiming to restore these animals to Indigenous communities.
