The ecology and management of the american bison

Abstract

This paper outlines in some detail the population dynamics of a large, free-ranging herd of Bison in Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Canada. That herd increased from a remnant of about 500 in the 1890’s to an estimated 1,500 in 1922. In the late 1920’s 6,600 plains Bison were added to the original population of wood Bison. Since 1930 the increase has been much slower, probably because of increased mortality caused by tuberculosis and reduced fertility caused by brucellosis. Both diseases were probably introduced with the plains Bison. In contrast, the rate of increase of three small, fenced herds of plains Bison is about 25 percent per year. Management of the fenced herds consists mainly of periodic reduction in numbers to keep the population within the carrying capacity of the range. Management of the wild, northern Bison entails mainly an attempt to reduce the incidence of tuberculosis in certain selected portions of the herd. A minor, but still significant management goal is to restore the Bison to the list of game animals by permitting the hunting of trophy bulls in areas outside the Park boundary. The bulk of the herd is being left in as nearly a natural state as possible in order to reap the maximum aesthetic benefits. At present there are about 20,000 Bison under federal government protection in the United States and Canada plus others under State, Provincial or private control. The herds are widely distributed in the western part of the continent and the future of the species seems assured.