Buffalo National Park

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The Buffalo National Park is a former National Park in the Canadian province of Alberta .

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Canadian government planned to set up a bison park. In 1907, the government established the 414 square kilometers Buffalo Park near Wainwright . In February 1907 the government bought the largest surviving herd of prairie bison from Montana, with over 700 animals . Since the fence around Buffalo National Park was not yet completed, over 300 of the animals were brought to an enclosure near Lamont, Alberta. From there the animals were brought to the new park in 1909, but over 20 animals stayed in Lamont and formed the basis for the bison herd in Elk Island National Park . The remaining animals were brought from Montana directly to Buffalo National Park until 1912.

From 1916 attempts began in the park to cross bison with cattle or yaks in order to breed beefalos .

In 1913 a census in Buffalo National Park showed a population of 1188 bison, in 1923 the population had increased to 6580 animals. Because of this high increase, animals had to be separated from 1922. This round-up, called separations, took place annually until 1939. In the first few years the animals were slaughtered, which was heavily criticized by the public. Therefore, from 1925 to 1928, the surplus animals were brought to the Wood Buffalo National Park founded in 1922 , otherwise they were sold to animal parks and zoos. However, overgrazing, bovine brucellosis, and other diseases reduced the herd, so the park was closed in 1939. All bison were slaughtered or sold to animal parks and zoos in America, Europe and Asia. The area was handed over to the Department of National Defense in 1940 , which established an army training area that still exists today.

At the main entrance to the military area, the Bud Cotton Buffalo Padock has been a reminder of the former national park since 1980 , an enclosure named after the former park ranger Edwin John “Bud” Cotton with around 20 prairie bison. The bison is the symbol of the city of Wainwright and is present with numerous pictures and sculptures in the city area. The Buffalo Park Foundation , a citizens' initiative, has been collecting photos, memorabilia and other mementos from the former national park since 2001 . The aim of the initiative is to set up a Buffalo Interpretative Center in Wainwright.

literature

  • John E. Foster, Dick Harrison, IS MacLaren: Buffalo. Edmonton, University of Alberta Press., 1992, ISBN 978-0-88864237-0
  • Fisch and Wildlife Historical Society (Ed.): Fish, fur & feathers: fish and wildlife conservation in Alberta 1905-2005. Edmonton: Fisch and Wildlife Historical Society, 2005, ISBN 0-9696134-7-4

Coordinates: 52 ° 50 ′ 0 ″  N , 110 ° 54 ′ 0 ″  W.