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Walk among the wild bison at Elk Island National Park
Walk among the wild bison at Elk Island National Park
ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK, Alberta - Before travellers reach the towering refinery stacks marking the eastern edge of Edmonton, some pull over to the side of the highway and snap photos of the large shaggy beasts nonchalantly grazing near the ditches.
The vast green parkland, missed by many in a rush to reach the Alberta capital, is the home where nearly 1,000 bison roam.
Of course, Elk Island National Park also hosts 800 elk and even 250 species of birds. But the hefty bovines are the main attraction.
And although the park is a big tourist destination, it's also a conservation farm for the animals once hunted to near extinction.
"Our bison are definitely a big part of what makes Elk Island really special," says Maureen Shenher, a spokeswoman for the park.
The site is the only entirely-fenced national park in the country, practically an island, but that doesn't mean people can't go inside. About 200,000 visitors who venture through its gates each year have their choice of a dozen hiking trails that stretch more than 80 kilometres, winding through forests and meadows and around various lakes.
Along the way, it's possible to catch some close-up moments with the big, beautiful brutes.
Although bison don't often attack people, they are wild animals. Shenher says a park warden was gored and wounded while trying to round up one of the animals in the 60s. And last year, a female hiker who startled a bison was cut on the leg when the animal ran passed her, clipping her with one of its horns.
Many bison also give birth in May. And while their fluffy, reddish-brown calves are certainly cute, the mothers become quite protective. Then there's the summer "rutt," or mating season. It's interesting to hear the amorous animals sound like African lions, but they can also become more aggressive, warns Shenher.
She suggests visitors keep a safe distance, about the length of three school buses. And watch for signs the animals are about to charge.
"They'll raise their tails. They'll stamp their feet," says Shenher. "And sometimes — they'll poop."
Oh, yes, they poop.
The biggest warning of all may well be: don't forget to look down. The bowling ball-sized mounds of manure that haphazardly dot the landscape look like they must have been dropped by elephants.
Though not as large, bison are definitely big, considered the largest mammals in North America.
The park has two types of the species and they're separated in the park by the Yellowhead Highway. Wood bison roam on the south side, and the plains bison on the north.
The wood bison are the larger of the two animals, weighing up to 840 kilograms. But the plains bison are the more iconic-looking, with full beards and thick, hairy chaps on their front legs.
In 1900, there were less than 200 plains bison left in the world. The Canadian government purchased the last large herd of the species in Montana in 1906 and had them shipped by train the following year to Elk Island park.
It was just supposed to be a temporary stop for the herd on their way to Buffalo National Park at Wainright. But 48 of the animals eluded capture and stayed behind.
Nearly 60 years later, a herd of threatened wood bison — though not native to the region — were added. They are still considered a species at risk and act as the national recovery herd.
The populations of both types have grown and hundreds of their offspring have been relocated to other sanctuaries around the world. Some plains bison have travelled back to their home on the range in Montana, and herds of wood bison have been sent to Alaska and Russia.
Another trip to Russia for about 30 wood bison is planned for next March.
If you go:
The park is located 45 kilometres east of Edmonton on the Yellowhead Highway.
In addition to hiking trails, there are picnic sites, over-night camping spots and a nine-hole golf course.
Canoeing, kayaking and sailing are allowed on some of its lakes.
The park is open year-round. There are some winter camping spots and groomed cross country ski trails.
The park is also home to one of seven Dark Sky preserves in the country. The park limits artificial light, making the night sky more visible for astronomy buffs. |
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發表於 2012-7-21 07:36
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