Bison or Buffalo--Canadian Herds Reviving

On a recent trip to the Yukon, we were anticipating viewing free range Wood Bison in the open plains and fields, however luck was not with us. We did however see a range of wildlife from Grizzly Bears, to Mountain Sheep, Elks, and Caribou.

For novices like myself, a Buffalo and a Bison are interchangeable, however in the world of wildlife biology there are some subtle differences, and in the Yukon there are wood bison, as opposed to the plains bison in southern Saskatchewan and southern Alberta. A new heard of plains bison will be released in Grasslands National Park on May 24 th just south of Swift Current. The Globe and Mail covers this story "Running with the Herd" in the May 10th travel section.

Book Swift Current Hotel Rooms on-line.

Regardless of type, bison are impressive social animals that live in herds. They are the largest land mammals in North America, reaching weights of over one ton (909 kilograms). They prefer open habitat and are relatively tolerant of humans and related activities. These characteristics make them an ideal species for wildlife viewing and as a tourist attraction.