Bison to be reintroduced to Banff National Park

Bison willbereintroduced toBanffNational Park over the next five years, the federal government announced Friday.

• Campaign brewing to bring bison back to Banff
• Bison population needs land to grow: study

It follows years of planning by local groups and parks officials.

"The long-term objective for the project is to have a self-sustaining bison herd that supports ecological integrity, enriches visitor experience, creates culture connections andprovides learning and stewardship opportunities," said area MP Blake Richards during the announcement.

The federal government saysplains bison once played a key role in the park's montane ecosystem, but has been mostly absent from the park since its establishment.

"Successfully restoring this keystone species in Banff will allow visitors, neighbours and the public at large to experience an authentic national park experience," said Richards in a release.

Parks Canada hopes to release 30 to 50 youngbison in Banff National Park in about four years time. Biologist David Gummer says they are still in the planning stages.

"That's when the bison will be brought here from Elk Island," he said.

Gummer saysthere could be as many as 75 bison roaming the park10 years from now.

Parks Canada says it willinvite First Nations to share traditional knowledge of plains bison, and participate in stewardship, management and celebrations. Students and volunteers will also be engagedto participate in bison research, monitoring and stewardship activities.

"We have a lot to learn how bison use the landscape here in Banff how they are affected by predators, those sorts of things that will have a big effect on how the population grows through time," said Gummer.

The project willcost roughly $6.4 million.The investment is designed to support Canada's National Conservation Plan.