These bison are part of the group of 71 animals that APF is transfering to the Reserve in January. This photo was taken by Dennis Lingohr at Elk Island National Park on Dec. 12, 2011.
For the last ten years, American Prairie Foundation has been focused on our mission to create and manage a prairie-based wildlife reserve that will have the size and ecological integrity to exist as a self-sustaining landscape. Recognizing that they once contributed to the rich habitat of the plains, part of this vision has included the establishment and growth of a conservation herd of bison.
American Prairie Reserve has been home to bison since we reintroduced the species in 2005 – more than 120 years after the animal virtually disappeared from the Northern Great Plains. Our herd has continued to grow in both size and genetic diversity thanks to imports of animals from Wind Cave National Park, The Nature Conservancy of South Dakota, and Elk Island National Park as well as the births of new calves that occur on the prairie each year.
It was a frosty, but sunny, morning at Elk Island National Park today in Alberta. APF's new bison are in the handling facility for disease testing. Photo by Bryce Christensen
In early 2012, the bison herd on American Prairie Reserve will see significant growth with the addition of 71 calves (36 males and 35 females) from Elk Island National Park in Canada. We first partnered with Elk Island in 2010 to transfer 93 bison to the Reserve, a lengthy process that involves staff and biologists from Parks Canada and APF as well as veterinarians and officials with Canadian and U.S. agencies. If you think that going through customs at the airport is a challenge, imagine bringing 71 bison with you!
Last month, staff at Elk Island started the process by rounding up the bison. This week, the animals are undergoing disease testing and vaccinations before entering a quarantine period at the Park. In late January, the bison will be transferred to APF custody and transported 650 miles across the Canadian/American border to American Prairie Reserve. Once on the Reserve, the bison will undergo a final round of testing and quarantine in APF’s special handling facility before being released on the Reserve for the first time in March.
Check back often to learn more about the transfer and see exclusive photos and videos of the process. The photos below were taken at Elk Island on December 12th and 13th by Bryce Christensen, APF’s Manager of Field Operations.
Even though it's 10 degrees outside, the staff members, scientists and volunteers involved in the bison transfer often have smiles on their faces. Perhaps they are frozen that way? Photo by Bryce Christensen
After a busy morning working outside with the bison, the group gathers for a warm meal at Elk Island National Park. Photo by Bryce Christensen
And so begins Day #2 at Elk Island: APF and Parks Canada staff are ready to start working with the bison at the Park's state-of-the-art handling facility. Photo by Bryce Christensen
