Bison Photo Gallery

Elk Island National Park

Baby bison in Elk Island National Park

Wood Bison Handling

Bison Photo Gallery

For thousands of years bison have been an important part of North America’s natural and cultural heritage. However, during the 19th century, the fur trade, European settlement of the Great Plains and the industrial revolution brought the bison to the brink of extinction. Since 1907 Parks Canada has been working to restore bison populations and re-connect these iconic animals with the ecosystems and culture of their traditional range. At Elk Island National Park you can see the wild bison that form Canada’s source herds for both Plains and Wood Bison conservation efforts.

 

A herd of plains bison, including small calves, grazes in the open meadow between an aspen forest and a marsh.

At one time more than 30 million bison lived in North America. These animals helped shape and support the ecosystems in which they lived.
© Parks Canada

 

A wood bison bull wallows in the dirt while other bison graze in the background.

Bison wallows are one example of how bison support a larger ecosystem. These depressions in the earth hold spring melt water and rains creating “mini” wetlands used by migrating birds and other species.
© Parks Canada

 

A Brown-headed Cowbird rides on the back of a large bull plains bison as it walks through a grassy meadow.

The insects in a bison’s fur become a tasty treat for the Brown-headed Cowbird. Other birds and small mammals will use the winter fur shed by bison for nesting material.
© Parks Canada

 

A bull wood bison walks through deep snow in an aspen forest.

Bison were critical to the survival of First Nations people on the Great Plains. These animals provided many of life’s necessities including food, shelter and clothing.
© Parks Canada

 

A small group of plains bison are silhouetted by the setting sun as they walk through a grassy meadow.

By the 1890s it is estimated that fewer than 2000 bison survived in North America. The near loss of this animal made agricultural settlement of the great plains possible and forever changed the relationship between humans, bison and the land in which they live.
© Parks Canada

 

A person hides behind a fence and waits to close a gate while bison run through a handling facility at Elk Island National Park.

Bison were reintroduced into Elk Island National Park in 1907. Since that time, Parks Canada has been working to protect and restore this iconic species.
© Parks Canada

 

A herd of plains bison block the Elk Island parkway as they walk down the road.

Over the past century bison have thrived in Elk Island National Park. Today, the thrill of getting stopped by a bison traffic jam is a common experience for many park visitors.
© Parks Canada

 

A side profile image of a plains bison standing in front of an aspen forest.

How do you tell the difference between a plains and wood bison? Plains Bison have lighter coloured fur, are about 1/3 smaller and the peak of the hump on their back is directly over their front legs.
© Parks Canada

 

A side profile of a wood bison standing in front of an aspen forest.

How do you tell the difference between a wood and plains bison? Wood bison have darker coloured fur, are about 1/3 larger and the peak of the hump on their back is well forward of their front legs.
© Parks Canada

 

A plains bison cow lovingly cares for her calf by licking it clean.

A baby bison is called a calf. Calves are typically born in May and June, weaned by late summer and will remain close to their mothers in the herd until they reach maturity at 2 – 3 years of age.
© Parks Canada

 

A little red plains bison calf playfully leaps into the air in front of an on looking cow.

In Elk Island bison calves are lovingly referred to as “little reds” because of their red-orange colouring. At 3 – 4 months of age a bison calf’s fur will change to the darker brown colour of the adults.
© Parks Canada

 

A group of plains bison cows and calves walks through a grassy meadow.

Bison live in herds with a well-defined social structure. The core herd is called the cow/calf herd. Run by dominant females called matriarchs, this herd is made up of cows, calves and sub-adult bulls.
© Parks Canada

 

Three plains bison bulls lounge in a grassy meadow.

For most of the year bison bulls live alone or in smaller bachelor herds. During the rut (mating season) dominant males and other challengers will join the cow/calf herds.
© Parks Canada

 

A plains bull stands beside his cow with an open mouth as he roars to ward off any potential challengers.

During the rut (mating season) only the most dominant males will have the chance to breed. These males will gather small harems (groups of cows) and fight off other bulls who challenge them.
© Parks Canada

 

Two young women look out onto a field with bison grazing in the distance.

Viewing bison in the wild is an unforgettable experience had by thousands of Elk Island visitors every year. Remember, these bison are wild animals. Be respectful and be safe. Keep at a safe distance (approximately 100 m).
© Parks Canada

 

A bull plains bison stands in the grass and raises its tale as a sign or warning.

Bison body language! Bison will often communicate their feelings toward your presence with their tail. An elevated or erect tail is a bison’s first display of irritation at an intruder or predator. If the tail goes up it’s time to give the animal some extra space.
© Parks Canada

 

A close up of a bull plains bison drooling and pawing at the ground.

You’re too close! Posturing, pawing at the ground, drooling and panting are signs that a bison may be ready to charge. If you encounter an animal displaying this behaviour, remain calm and move away from the animal. Try to place a large object such as a tree, picnic table or vehicle between you and the animal.
© Parks Canada

 

A bull and cow plains bison eat grass together while standing in a grassy field.

Bison are primarily a grazing animal, surviving on a diet of grasses and sedges. During the winter months bison will also browse twigs and shrubs when grass is difficult to find. Bison can eat 20 – 25 pounds of food each day.
© Parks Canada

 

Three wood bison bulls use their massive heads to dig in the snow and reach the grass below.

During the winter months bison must work very hard to find the grasses and sedges they need for food. The large muscles in their back hump help the bison use their huge head and horns to plow snow and uncover their winter meals.
© Parks Canada
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