News Release: Minister Response Lacks Support for Bison Wildlife Designation
June 13, 2024
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Replying to a request for bison to be officially designated wildlife in Alberta, the Alberta Minister of Environment and Protected Areas would not commit to action or support for bison to be listed under the Alberta Wildlife Act.
In March, several environmental groups wrote to Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Parks and Protected Areas, and Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Affairs, requesting that free-ranging bison be designated as wildlife under the Alberta Wildlife Act.
Responding two months later, Minister Schulz wrote, “Environment and Protected Areas is reviewing the status of Plains bison in Alberta for further consideration under the Wildlife Act.”
Although this appears promising, historic reviews for the status of bison have generally fallen short of the desired wildlife designation. The Minister has also not shown any interest in further discussion with the environmental groups involved, despite an assertion that the “department is interested in hearing from all Albertans interested in Plains bison conservation, protection, and management.”
“It is disappointing,” says Ruiping Luo, Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) Conservation Specialist, “Bison have a central role in the ecology, history and culture of Alberta, and their return brings many social and environmental benefits. The current treatment of bison outside of designated areas as livestock hinders conservation and management.”
The importance of plains bison – one of two subspecies found in Alberta – is acknowledged in the letter: Minister Schulz writes, “Environment and Protected Areas recognizes Plains bison have cultural, ecological, and historical significance to Indigenous communities in southern Alberta.” Not acknowledged is the importance of plains and wood bison beyond southern Alberta, and to all Albertans.
The letter also lists concerns with bison, including “managing the population’s size and distribution,” “possible disease transmission,” and “excursions of free-roaming bison onto private lands.” However, many of these concerns could benefit from a more open discussion, and more effective management plans. Listing bison under the Alberta Wildlife Act would provide more regulatory tools to govern free-ranging bison herds and improve management.
For more information, contact:
Ruiping Luo, Alberta Wilderness Association (403-283-2025; rluo@abwild.ca)
Braum Barber, Southern Alberta Group for the Environment (braumbarber@gmail.com)
Mike Judd, Foothills Bison Restoration Society (mikejudd2022@outlook.com)
