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Back where they belong

Nearly wiped out in Alberta in the 1800s, plains bison are making a historic return to Banff National Park 
  • Jan 13, 2018
  • 54 words
  • 1 minutes
Plains bison with their calves in banff national park Expand Image
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Spring in the remote Panther River valley in Alberta’s Banff National Park sounds almost exactly like you imagine it should. The air explodes with birdsong. The river, finally free of ice, roars along its course. Fat bumblebees hum by like tiny zeppelins, occasionally colliding with scorpionweed blossoms. A cool wind rustles the trees.

Plains bison grazing in Banff National Park
Caring for bison is no easy feat. Here, Karsten Heuer and Geoff Skinner pose with "The Honeywagon," which they use to collect the animals' feces to help prevent the spread of parasites. Bison are prolific poopers, so the task can take hours. (Photo: Niki Wilson)
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Caring for bison is no easy feat. Here, Karsten Heuer and Geoff Skinner pose with "The Honeywagon," which they use to collect the animals' feces to help prevent the spread of parasites. Bison are prolific poopers, so the task can take hours. (Photo: Niki Wilson)
Expand Image
Karsten Heuer Geoff Skinner with Honeywagon
Caring for bison is no easy feat. Here, Karsten Heuer and Geoff Skinner pose with "The Honeywagon," which they use to collect the animals' feces to help prevent the spread of parasites. Bison are prolific poopers, so the task can take hours. (Photo: Niki Wilson)
Expand Image
Caring for bison is no easy feat. Here, Karsten Heuer and Geoff Skinner pose with "The Honeywagon," which they use to collect the animals' feces to help prevent the spread of parasites. Bison are prolific poopers, so the task can take hours. (Photo: Niki Wilson)
Expand Image
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