After being driven to near extinction, Plains Bison have come home to the Canadian Prairies and their return is helping local wildlife thrive.
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Once, millions of plains bison roamed Canada’s prairies.
But in the late 1800s they were hunted to near extinction by settlers.
And by 1888, there were no wild bison left in Canada.
But with help, plains bison are returning…and where they wander, wildlife thrives.
Where bison graze, the mosaic of tall and shortened grasses becomes habitat for ground-nesting birds.
As well as the burrowing owl, whose dens had all but disappeared from some of these sprawling grasslands.
Small mammals, like prairie dogs, also enjoy ideal habitats where bison roam.
And with more small mammals settling in, scavengers, like the swift fox, have better opportunities to catch a meal.
The bison’s trampling helps wildflowers and shrubs grow, much to the delight of their old, shrub-loving friend, the pronghorn.
And bison’s thick, dense wool is great for building nests and keeping newborn chicks warm.
Where bison roll they leave shallow craters, called “wallows”, which collect water from the infrequent rains and spring runoff. These small pools provide drinking water for wildlife on the prairies, and create habitats for amphibians, insects and plants.
Thanks to conservation groups, Indigenous communities, and all levels of government, several small herds of plains bison are helping restore balance in the Canadian Prairies.
Today, around 2,200 plains bison call Canada home.
