
Fenced all round since its founding; one of the oldest and most continuously maintained bison sanctuaries in the world
Area
194 km²
Protection category
IUCN II
Parque nacional —
Designated in
1906
Declared in 1906, Elk Island is one of the oldest and most continuously fenced bison sanctuaries in the world, and the only national park in Canada completely ringed by a perimeter fence since its founding, originally designed to protect the last surviving plains bison from the near-total extinction of the species in the late 19th century. It is also one of the few places in the world where both plains bison and wood bison, two genetically distinct subspecies, live side by side in separate herds.
Ecosystems found in Canada, where Elk Island lies.
What is worth looking out for this month in Canada?
Now is a good time: Polar bear gathering at Churchill (October to November)
Which other parks are like this one?
Same country: Canada
Same country: Canada
Same country: Canada
Same country: Canada
Based on what we already know about this park.
Region
Alberta
Climate
Temperate, Polar / cold
Best season
June to September
Threatened:,
AI-generated image: an illustration, not a photograph.