Fort Smith (Mar 27/06) - Parks Canada says just because they’re talking about eradicating a diseased bison herd doesn’t mean they’ll actually do it.

The service is contemplating whether a diseased bison herd in and around Wood Buffalo National Park should be killed off and replaced with animals free of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis.

Bison in Wood Buffalo National Park are diseased with bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis. - NNSL file photo

The idea - originally proposed in 1990 but dropped after a public outcry - was discussed in late October at a technical workshop in Edmonton.

Douglas Stewart, the director general of national parks with Parks Canada, says the workshop was simply a research process. The gathering was sponsored by Parks Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service.

“As a responsible government organization, we have to continue advancing our knowledge,” Stewart explains.

The 32 scientists, veterinarians, biologists and ecologists considered the requirements for eliminating the approximately 4,500 animals in the herd.

“Essentially, they said it’s feasible,” Stewart says.

However, he notes the experts made no recommendation.

The experts estimated it would take 20 years and in excess of $70 million to eradicate the herd and replace it with healthy animals.

The project could involve corral traps, shooting from the ground and air, and bounties on the animals. Radio-collared “Judas” animals could also be used to locate bison.

“There is no process for active consideration,” Stewart says. “Just because you have a technical committee saying it can be done doesn’t mean it should be done. That’s a public policy decision.”

Stewart, who served as the park’s superintendent from 1990-93, says any decision on the cull would involve a much wider group of people - federal agencies, the GNWT, the Alberta government, First Nations, Metis, cattle producers, bison ranchers and others.

Ken Hudson, the president of the Fort Smith Metis Council, says there was no contact with local governments or Aboriginal people about the Edmonton meeting.

“It seems to me they’re getting off on the wrong foot right off the bat,” Hudson says, noting it reminds him of what happened in the early 1990s.

“I think there are some merits to the idea, but there has to be lots of consultation,” he adds.

Hudson notes some people are concerned about the possible time involved - 10 years to eradicate the herd and 10 years to replace it. “People are going to be reluctant to support that.”

If such a project ever happens, he says breeding stations would need to be started to grow healthy replacement animals even before the eradication begins.

Hudson does not believe the Edmonton workshop indicates Parks Canada is preparing to make a proposal to eradicate the herd. “I think they might be laying the groundwork for some kind of consultative process.”