Elk Island National Park

Elk Island National Park in Alberta protects a northern prairies plateau of grassland, aspen parkland, boreal forest, and wetlands within Canada’s largest fully enclosed national park. The Beaverhills area long supported elk, bison, and moose, and archaeological evidence links the land to Blackfoot, Sarcee, and Cree peoples over many generations. After wildlife declines from post-Contact hunting and environmental change, the area gained protection beginning in 1899 and became a national park in 1930. It has since become one of Canada’s most important large-mammal conservation centres, especially for plains and wood bison, supplying animals for restoration efforts across Canada and beyond.

Alberta · Canada