Earth Day gifts Wanuskewin a baby bison
- EFN Staff | April 24, 2020
Saskatoon-Wanuskewin received the gift of a baby bison this Earth Day. The female bison is the firstborn of the herd that Wanuskewin welcomed from the United States in December 2019, with genetic links to the famous Yellowstone herd. This marks the first bison born on their ancestral land at Wanuskewin since before the signing of Treaty Six in 1876 and the subsequent extermination of the species.
“Every Earth Day, we honour our connection to the land and the many gifts of Mother Earth. This year, we are blessed by the arrival of the first baby bison,” said Wanuskewin Chief Executive Officer, Darlene Brander. “In times of great uncertainty as we have experienced with COVID-19, we are reminded that nature continues to move forward and offers us all this gift of life.”
In December 2019, Wanuskewin welcomed eleven genetically-pure Plains bison from herds originating in the United States and Grasslands National Park. This is the first baby to arrive, with more expected this Spring.
“Welcoming back the bison to Wanuskewin was a central pillar of the recent capital fundraising campaign. Every birth is part of the circle of life and signals progress,” said Felix Thomas, Wanuskewin Board Chair and co-Chair of the Thundering Ahead Capital Campaign. “We look forward to watching this baby thunder across the Plains before long.”
The public will have to wait some time to get an in-person view of the baby bison and her future herd mates. The Elders have asked for privacy for the baby and the Park is still closed due to COVID-19 pandemic policies. Wanuskewin opens during phase four of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Strategy.