(Submitted photo/Wanuskewin)

By Alison Sandstrom

New life

Wanuskewin welcomes first generation of baby bison born on land in nearly 150 years

May 14, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Wanuskewin Heritage Park is announcing the births of four baby bison, the first calves born on the land since the signing of Treaty 6 in 1876.

While nearly 30 million bison once roamed the Great Plains, their number dwindled to near extinction in the late 1800s with only around 1000 left. Descendants of these last remaining animals found a new home at Wanuskewin in December as part of a conservation herd.

(Submitted/Wanuskewin)

The new generation of bison born in the last month is made up of three females and one male. Their auspicious birthdays are being hailed as a powerful sign by park leadership.

The eldest arrived on Earth Day, the third on Red Dress Day, and the youngest calf on Mother’s Day.

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“Already, based on their birthdays we know these bison have an incredible sense of timing,” Wanuskewin CEO Darelene Brander said in a media release. “It is an honour for our park to welcome these magnificent creatures back to their natural territory. We lay down tobacco to give thanks for their arrival and look forward to sharing this herd with all of the world. They have become a powerful symbol of hope and resilience during these trying times of isolation.”

(Submitted/Wanuskewin)

The bison herd is an important part of Wanuskein’s Grasslands restoration project that seeks to revive the critically endangered Native Prairie Grasslands ecosystem. The project has already reclaimed a section of land previously used for agriculture within the park boundary.

“By introducing bison back to the land we will be adding that essential element needed for balance in both a cultural and scientific sense,” Wanuskewin Board Chair and co-Chair of the Thundering Ahead Capital Campaign, Felix Thomas said. “We aim to grow the park to act as a natural oasis within the city limits that will offer a place for families to come and connect with the land once again.”

Wanuskewin’s trails and facilities remain closed to the public due to COVID-19, they are scheduled to re-open during phase four of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.

(Submitted/Wanuskewin)

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