The Government of Yukon has released a new Conservation and Action Plan for the Aishihik bison population. The new collaborative plan articulates a longer-term vision and recommendations for conservation and management of the Aishihik bison population.
The plan promotes:
- ensuring the population remains healthy and viable;
- fostering further cultural connection to bison;
- sustainable harvest management;
- mechanisms for the resolution of land use issues such as the effects of bison hunting on traplines; and
- increasing knowledge sharing between bison management partners.
Nationally, bison are a threatened species, but in the Yukon the population is healthy and growing. This new management plan supports the national recovery strategy for bison, which is a requirement under the federal Species at Risk Act. The Aishihik bison population contribute significantly to the global conservation of bison.
In the implementation of the plan, every effort will be made to understand bison and their biological needs so that management can best minimize risks to Yukon ecosystems, communities and the bison themselves.
The plan was developed by the Yukon Bison Technical Team, which includes members from the federal and territorial government, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, Kluane First Nation, White River First Nation, the Alsek, Carmacks, Dän Keyi and Laberge Renewable Resources Councils, the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board and observers from the Yukon Fish and Game Association, Parks Canada and the local outfitter.
I want to express my gratitude to the Yukon Bison Technical Team for their collaborative efforts to finalize a conservation and action plan that provides a long-term vision for the Aishihik bison herd. I would also like to thank Yukoners who took part in surveys and public meetings in the development of this plan.
We are thrilled to announce the updated Conservation and Action Plan for the Aishihik bison population. The Bison Technical Team carefully considered valuable input from Yukoners while drafting the plan. The team comprises members from four Yukon First Nations, five UFA-mandated boards and councils and the Government of Yukon. Additionally, they receive support and information from local associations, outfitters and the federal government. This group serves as a leading example of wildlife co-management in the Yukon. The new plan aims to carefully balance controlling the herd's growth with sustainable harvest opportunities, mitigate impacts on the land and other wildlife and ultimately secure a resilient, disease-free Wood Bison population for Yukoners to enjoy for years to come.
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Wood bison were once nearly extinct. The last known bison in the Yukon was observed near Watson Lake in the 1930s.
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Collective effort by the governments of Canada and Yukon, with support by the Yukon Fish and Game Association, resulted in the release of 170 bison from a temporary enclosure near Mount Nansen between 1988 and 1993. This was the origin of the Aishihik bison population. Wood bison are listed as Threatened under Canada’s Species at Risk Act.
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The reintroduced Aishihik bison population is one of the largest free-ranging bison populations left on Earth. As such, the Yukon is an important global steward of bison.
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This is the fourth and most up-to-date plan in the territory. Previous plans were written in 1989, 1998 and 2012.
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The new management plan seeks a better balance between bison control and harvest and managing the impacts of bison hunting on people, other wildlife and the land. It also provides interim bison harvest guidelines.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
[email protected]
Linea Volkering
Communications, Environment
867-332-2688
[email protected]