Parks Canada considering expanding bison program following success of Banff herd

Parks Canada is considering expanding its bison reintroduction program after the success of a similar program in Banff National Park

Parks Canada is exploring a broader bison program, following the success of a herd reintroduced into Banff National Park.

More than 130 plains bison roam the park freely, as of 2024.

That’s up from just 16, brought back to the park in 2017 as part of the $6.4-million project.

The animals were absent from the wild for 140 years after their population declined across North America from over-hunting.

Parks Canada calls the growth of the Banff herd a historic, ecological and cultural triumph, setting a strong foundation of knowledge for reintroducing herds elsewhere.

With the completion of the first seven years of the project, officials are working with Indigenous groups and other stakeholders to collaborate across boundaries.