Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (Sep 23/02) - Contrary to what some people may believe, there is no federally appointed panel examining the future of bison in Wood Buffalo National Park.

"I can assure you there's not been a panel struck," says Wood Buffalo superintendent Josie Weninger.

However, Weninger says an inter-departmental working group has met on a "very preliminary" basis. It is looking at whether there is a need for a multi-party stakeholder process to consider the issues surrounding the bison. It is still undecided how other groups, such as the various levels of government and aboriginal organizations, would be involved in such a process.

Many of the bison in the park are infected with tuberculosis and brucellosis.

In 1990, a slaughter of the bison and their replacement with healthy animals was proposed by a federal panel, but the idea was abandoned in the face of public opposition.

Recently, the grassroots Wood Buffalo Survival Group issued a news release warning that another federally appointed panel was about to recommend the eradication of the buffalo herd in the park.

The group's concern was raised by a story in an Edmonton newspaper in July, which claimed that a panel was to convene in the fall.

"I'm much relieved that there is no panel and look forward to whatever alternative the government proposes for a process," says Robert Ruttan, an Alberta biologist and a member of the Wood Buffalo Survival Group.

Asked about the eradication option, Weninger replied, "It's much too early in the process to speculate on where we would go."