The pilot program to re-introduce plains bison to Banff National Park has been a tremendous success.

Sixteen bison were originally introduced to the park early in 2017 when the pilot program started.

The bison were from Elk Island National Park and were moved into an enclosed pasture within the park and spent two calving seasons in the pasture.

Then between 2018 and 2022 they were allowed to roam freely within the park. 

Since then, the herd has grown from 16 to 80 with only two calves lost to wolves, one in 2019 and one in 2020.