Elk Island National Park: Difference between revisions

Elk Island National Park
Elk Island National Park
Parc national Elk Island
IUCN category II (national park)
	Bison grazing in Elk Island National Park
	Location in Canada Location in Alberta
Location	Alberta, Canada
Nearest city	Edmonton
Coordinates	53°36′52″N 112°51′58″W / 53.61444°N 112.86611°W
Area	194 km2 (75 sq mi)
Established	1913
Visitors	401,891 (in 2022–23)
Governing body	Parks Canada

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Elk Island National Park is a national park in Alberta, Canada, that played an important part in the conservation of the plains bison. The park is administered by the Parks Canada Agency. This "island of conservation" is 35 km (22 mi) east of Edmonton, along the Yellowhead Highway, which goes through the park. It is Canada's eighth smallest in area but largest fully enclosed national park, with an area of 194 km² (75 sq mi).

The park is representative of the northern prairies plateau ecosystem and as such, the knob and kettle landscape is a mix of native fescue grassland that has been converted to forage land dominated by non-native grasses, aspen parkland and boreal forest. As well, Elk Island hosts both the largest and the smallest terrestrial mammals in North America, the wood bison and pygmy shrew respectively.

History

Elk Island National Park is situated in the Beaverhills area, which with its aspen thickets and easy access to water, has provided shelter for wintering herds of elk, bison and moose since times immemorial.^[2] Though there was never any permanent indigenous settlement in the area, there are over 200 archaeological remains of campsites and stone tool-making sites. The land has been influenced by the Blackfoot, Sarcee and Cree indigenous groups.^[3]

In early post-Contact history, the Beaverhills area was primarily used for commercial hunting. This led to overhunting and the virtual elimination of beaver from the area by the 1830s and of large ungulates by the 1860s. The area then became valuable for timber until 1894, when fire swept through the area. In 1899, the federal government designated the area the "Cooking Lake Forest Reserve". But while the forest was protected, it did little to protect the moose, elk and deer populations. Thus, in 1906,^[4] five men from Fort Saskatchewan put forward $5000 and petitioned the federal government to set up an elk sanctuary, calling it "Elk Park". Elk Island Park was later granted federal park status in 1913, and then designation as an official National Park under the National Parks Act which passed through the Canadian Parliament in 1930.

In 1951, a replica of a pioneer cabin was built in the park to honour the Ukrainian Canadians who pioneered the area. This replica, known as the Ukrainian Pioneer Home, was the first museum or historic site ever dedicated to Ukrainian immigration in Canada. It was later declared a Classified Federal Heritage Building by the federal government in 1993.^[5]

In terms of local governance, those lands within Elk Island National Park were incorporated as Improvement District (ID) No. 97 on April 1, 1958.^[6] ID No. 97 was renumbered to ID No. 13 on January 1, 1969.^[6]

Wildlife

Elk Island is home to the densest population of ungulates (hoofed mammals) in Canada. A variety of mammal species including coyote, bison, moose, mule deer, lynx, beaver, elk, white-tailed deer, and porcupine are year-round residents. Black bears and timber wolves certainly roam within this park, but they are not commonly seen by wildlife viewers.^[7]^[8] Over 250 bird species can be found in the park at various times of year. Most notable among these are the red-necked grebes, American white pelicans, double-crested cormorants, great blue herons, red-tailed hawks, American bitterns and the trumpeter swans.

Astotin Lake

Wildlife management

Elk Island National Park maintains a thriving elk population, estimated at 605 in 2007, as well as around 300 moose and over 500 deer. Parks Canada transferred eighteen moose from Elk Island to Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Highlands National Park between 1947 and 1948. Reintroduction of traditional species has been an important focus as well. Besides the success of the wood and plains bison introduction, beavers were reintroduced in 1942, and in 2007 numbered near 1000. 1987 saw the beginning of a trumpeter swan reintroduction programme, which as of 2007^[update] was seeing mating pairs returning to Elk Island, raising hope for a sustainable population.

Elk Island National Park also remains a seed herd for repopulation efforts in other areas. Elk Island elk have been relocated to various parts North America, including Ontario and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Plains bison have been reintroduced to conservation areas scattered throughout their historic domain, for example American Prairie in eastern Montana, Grasslands National Park and the Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area in Saskatchewan, and in 2006, 30 wood bison were relocated to the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) to begin repopulation efforts of the area historically inhabited by the now extinct steppe bison.^[9]

Bison conservation

Elk Island National Park has a prominent history in large ungulate conservation. As early as 1907,^[10]^[11] the Canadian government bought one of the last and largest remaining pure-bred plains bison, the Pablo-Allard herd, from Montana. Close to 400 bison were shipped to Elk Island as a temporary waystation until the fencing at Buffalo Park in Wainwright was completed. In 1909 the fence was finished and 325 bison were relocated to Buffalo National Park. However, 40–70 bison^[10] evaded capture and became the ancestors of today's herd in Elk Island National Park. Since 2007, Parks Canada has actively managed a herd of about 400 pure-bred and disease-free plains bison^[12] and 300 wood bison^[13] in Elk Island. When the population exceeds this number, the excess bison are sold. The proceeds of the sales go to help finance the needs of national parks.^[14]

In the late 19th century, only 300 wood bison remained worldwide, almost exclusively in Wood Buffalo National Park. During the 1920s, 6,000–7,000 plains bison were also relocated to Wood Buffalo National Park. These bison were not only infected with brucellosis and tuberculosis, which infected the wood bison herd, but the wood and plains subspecies also interbred, and thus it was thought that wood bison were completely extinct by the 1940s. In 1957, however, a disease-free, not fully but relatively pure wood bison herd of 200 was discovered near Nyarling river in Wood Buffalo National Park. In 1965, 23 of these bison were relocated to the south side of Elk Island National Park and remain there today as the most genetically pure wood bison remaining. In 2007, the wood bison population in Elk Island National Park was estimated at 315.

Elk Island has become famous for exporting its ungulates to other conservation areas around North America, and even to Russia. In 1996, elk were sent to Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky.^[15] Starting in 2005, a series of plains bison deliveries were made to the American Prairie in northeastern Montana, including 94 head in 2010 and 72 in 2012.^[16] Three groups of 30 wood bison were sent to the Republic of Sakha, in the Russian Federation, partly to replace the extinct steppe bison in the habitat but also as protection against any disease wiping out the North American herd of that species.^[17]^[18]

Conservationists transferred fifty-three wood bison from this national park to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in June 2008. They were absent from Alaskan boreal forests for nearly one hundred years.^[19]

Climate

Climate data for Elk Island National Park, Alberta, 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1981–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high humidex	11.5	14.1	19.5	24.6	32.3	34.9	39.2	42.2	34.3	26.2	19.0	14.1	42.2
Record high °C (°F)	11.7 (53.1)	15.5 (59.9)	20.7 (69.3)	26.5 (79.7)	31.0 (87.8)	33.3 (91.9)	35.4 (95.7)	34.5 (94.1)	30.9 (87.6)	28.5 (83.3)	20.0 (68.0)	14.8 (58.6)	35.4 (95.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	−6.2 (20.8)	−2.5 (27.5)	1.2 (34.2)	10.8 (51.4)	17.0 (62.6)	20.8 (69.4)	23.2 (73.8)	22.1 (71.8)	16.1 (61.0)	9.9 (49.8)	−0.3 (31.5)	−4.1 (24.6)	9.0 (48.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)	−12.0 (10.4)	−9.3 (15.3)	−5.1 (22.8)	4.2 (39.6)	10.6 (51.1)	14.6 (58.3)	17.0 (62.6)	15.7 (60.3)	10.1 (50.2)	4.3 (39.7)	−5.2 (22.6)	−9.5 (14.9)	3.0 (37.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	−17.8 (0.0)	−15.9 (3.4)	−11.4 (11.5)	−2.4 (27.7)	4.1 (39.4)	8.4 (47.1)	10.8 (51.4)	9.2 (48.6)	4.0 (39.2)	−1.3 (29.7)	−10.0 (14.0)	−15.1 (4.8)	−3.1 (26.4)
Record low °C (°F)	−43.4 (−46.1)	−40.5 (−40.9)	−42.5 (−44.5)	−30.0 (−22.0)	−7.4 (18.7)	−0.9 (30.4)	3.3 (37.9)	−1.0 (30.2)	−6.7 (19.9)	−21.5 (−6.7)	−35.0 (−31.0)	−38.5 (−37.3)	−43.4 (−46.1)
Record low wind chill	−45.4	−40.5	−35.4	−26.4	−13.1	−1.5	0.0	0.0	−8.5	−21	−37.2	−42.4	−45.4
Average precipitation mm (inches)	18.2 (0.72)	11.3 (0.44)	21.5 (0.85)	26.3 (1.04)	49.4 (1.94)	85.3 (3.36)	112.1 (4.41)	52.5 (2.07)	53.7 (2.11)	20.1 (0.79)	15.3 (0.60)	16.8 (0.66)	482.4 (18.99)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	0.9 (0.04)	0.2 (0.01)	2.0 (0.08)	13.8 (0.54)	44.0 (1.73)	85.3 (3.36)	112.1 (4.41)	52.5 (2.07)	53.6 (2.11)	11.2 (0.44)	1.2 (0.05)	0.9 (0.04)	377.7 (14.87)
Average snowfall cm (inches)	18.5 (7.3)	11.9 (4.7)	20.6 (8.1)	12.8 (5.0)	5.4 (2.1)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.1 (0.0)	9.2 (3.6)	15.9 (6.3)	16.4 (6.5)	110.7 (43.6)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2mm)	9.2	6.6	8.5	7.0	11.0	15.0	16.3	12.8	13.1	9.0	7.2	9.1	124.8
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2mm)	0.8	0.35	1.4	4.5	10.5	15.0	16.3	12.8	13.1	6.9	1.6	0.94	84.19
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)	8.5	6.3	7.6	3.1	0.70	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.06	2.8	6.1	8.6	43.76
Source: Environment Canada^[20]

Activities and facts

Elk Island National Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. Park User Fees apply. Popular year-round activities include birding and wildlife gazing.^[21] Winter activities include unserviced camping, hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Summer activities include hiking, golfing, kayaking/canoeing, mountain biking, and unserviced camping. Services include telephones, potable water and year-round washrooms. Swimming is not recommended due to risk of contracting Swimmer's itch. Fires are allowed in designated fire pits.

In 1955, a bison cull was filmed for the John Ford film The Searchers.^[22]

On September 3, 2006, the Beaver Hills dark-sky preserve, which includes Elk Island National Park within its boundaries, was declared in a ceremony held at Astotin Lake.^[23]

References

^ Canada, Parks. "Parks Canada attendance 2022_23 - Parks Canada attendance 2022_23 - Open Government Portal". open.canada.ca. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
^ MacDonald, Graham A. (2009). The Beaver Hills Country: A History of Land and Life. Edmonton, AB: AU Press, Athabasca University. p. 253. ISBN 978-1-897425-38-1.
^ "Elk Island National Park of Canada, 5.0 Protection of Cultural Resources". National Parks of Canada. Parks Canada. 2009. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
^ "Elk Island National Park". National Parks of Canada. Parks Canada. 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
^ "Ukrainian Pioneer Home". HistoricPlaces.ca. Parks Canada. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
^ ^a ^b "Municipal Profiles: Improvement Districts" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 1, 2021. pp. 22–27. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
^ "Elk Island National Park Cameras Capture Elusive Black Bears (PHOTOS)". Huffington Post. July 23, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
^ "Alberta approves killing six wolves in national park after 'cows ripped open from one end to the other'". Postmedia News. National Post. October 27, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
^ "Oh give me a home: Elk Island National Park transfers wood bison to Russia". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadian Press. March 28, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
^ ^a ^b "History of the Herds – Plains Bison". Elk Island National Park. Parks Canada. 2012. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
^ Markewicz, Lauren (2018-04-27). "Like Distant Thunder: Canada's Bison Conservation Story". Parks Canada. Archived from the original on 2018-07-13. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
^ "Elk Island home to rare, genetically pure and disease-free herd". FortSaskOnline. September 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
^ "Bison frequently asked questions". Parks Canada. May 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
^ "Ungulate management". Parks Canada. February 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
^ "Hear Fall Bugling at Land Between The Lakes Elk & Bison Prairie". Grand Rivers. September 13, 2013. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
^ Proulx, Ben (February 2, 2012). "Elk Island bison head to Montana". Fort Saskatchewan Record. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
^ Heck, Dalene (17 February 2014). "From Extinction to Alberta: the Bison's Tale". Hecktic Travels. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
^ Brooymans, Hanneke (August 5, 2010). "Elk Island wood bison big hit in Russia". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
^ "Wood Bison Restoration".
^ "Elk Island National Park". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 (in English and French). Environment Canada. 31 October 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
^ National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of Canada (Second ed.). Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Partners. 2017. p. 197. ISBN 978-1-4262-1756-2.
^ Do Not Present a Gruesome Spectacle: Filming Bison for Hollywood at Elk Island in 1955
^ "Beaver Hills Dark-Sky Preserve". Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2012.

External links

Official Site
Parks Canada - Official National Parks and Mountain Guide
Elk Island National Park profile Archived 2009-07-08 at the Wayback Machine
National Film Board of Canada documentary Elk Island

[:0-1] Canada, Parks. "Parks Canada attendance 2022_23 - Parks Canada attendance 2022_23 - Open Government Portal". open.canada.ca. Retrieved 2024-05-07.

[2] MacDonald, Graham A. (2009). The Beaver Hills Country: A History of Land and Life. Edmonton, AB: AU Press, Athabasca University. p. 253. ISBN 978-1-897425-38-1.

[3] "Elk Island National Park of Canada, 5.0 Protection of Cultural Resources". National Parks of Canada. Parks Canada. 2009. Retrieved May 21, 2014.

[4] "Elk Island National Park". National Parks of Canada. Parks Canada. 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2014.

[5] "Ukrainian Pioneer Home". HistoricPlaces.ca. Parks Canada. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2012.

[IDprofile-6] "Municipal Profiles: Improvement Districts" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 1, 2021. pp. 22–27. Retrieved October 3, 2021.

[7] "Elk Island National Park Cameras Capture Elusive Black Bears (PHOTOS)". Huffington Post. July 23, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2016.

[8] "Alberta approves killing six wolves in national park after 'cows ripped open from one end to the other'". Postmedia News. National Post. October 27, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2016.

[9] "Oh give me a home: Elk Island National Park transfers wood bison to Russia". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadian Press. March 28, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2015.

[Herd-10] "History of the Herds – Plains Bison". Elk Island National Park. Parks Canada. 2012. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)

[Markewicz_2018-11] Markewicz, Lauren (2018-04-27). "Like Distant Thunder: Canada's Bison Conservation Story". Parks Canada. Archived from the original on 2018-07-13. Retrieved 2021-11-23.

[12] "Elk Island home to rare, genetically pure and disease-free herd". FortSaskOnline. September 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2021.

[13] "Bison frequently asked questions". Parks Canada. May 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2021.

[14] "Ungulate management". Parks Canada. February 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2021.

[15] "Hear Fall Bugling at Land Between The Lakes Elk & Bison Prairie". Grand Rivers. September 13, 2013. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.

[16] Proulx, Ben (February 2, 2012). "Elk Island bison head to Montana". Fort Saskatchewan Record. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.

[17] Heck, Dalene (17 February 2014). "From Extinction to Alberta: the Bison's Tale". Hecktic Travels. Retrieved May 23, 2015.

[18] Brooymans, Hanneke (August 5, 2010). "Elk Island wood bison big hit in Russia". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2015.

[19] "Wood Bison Restoration".

[climate-20] "Elk Island National Park". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 (in English and French). Environment Canada. 31 October 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2014.

[21] National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of Canada (Second ed.). Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Partners. 2017. p. 197. ISBN 978-1-4262-1756-2.

[22] Do Not Present a Gruesome Spectacle: Filming Bison for Hollywood at Elk Island in 1955

[23] "Beaver Hills Dark-Sky Preserve". Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2012.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|National park in Alberta, Canada}}
-{{distinguish|text=[[Elk Island Provincial Park]], Saskatchewan or [[Losiny Ostrov National Park|Elk Island National Park]], Moscow, Russia}}
+{{distinguish|text=[[Elk Island Provincial Park]], Manitoba, or [[Losiny Ostrov National Park|Elk Island National Park]], Moscow, Russia}}
+{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
 {{Infobox protected area
 | name = Elk Island National Park
+| alt_name = {{lang|fr|Parc national Elk Island}}
 | iucn_category = II
 | photo = Bison Elk Island.jpg
@@ Line 8: / Line 10: @@
 | map = Canada#Alberta
 | relief = yes
-| map_caption = Location of ''Elk Island National Park'' in [[Canada]]##Location of ''Elk Island National Park'' in [[Alberta]]
+| map_caption = Location in [[Canada]]##Location in [[Alberta]]
-| location = [[Alberta]], [[Canada]]
+| location = [[Alberta]], Canada
 | nearest_city = [[Edmonton]]
 | coordinates = {{coord|53|36|52|N|112|51|58|W|region:CA-AB|display=inline, title}}
 | area_km2 = 194
 | established = 1913
+| visitation_num = 401,891<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Parks |title=Parks Canada attendance 2022_23 - Parks Canada attendance 2022_23 - Open Government Portal |url=https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/57c69cfc-fc85-495b-9eef-555a08404034/resource/020bfd16-2079-4fa7-839f-f4cc8c19851c |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=open.canada.ca}}</ref>
-| visitation_num = 220,758
+| visitation_year = 2022–23
-| visitation_year = 2012/13<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/docs/pc/attend/~/media/docs/pc/attend/ParksCanadaAttendance2012-13_ENG.ashx |title=Parks Canada Attendance 2007-08 to 2012-13 |date=July 31, 2013 |publisher=Parks Canada |format=PDF |page=2 |access-date=May 29, 2014}}</ref>
 | governing_body = [[Parks Canada]]
+| embedded = {{Infobox mapframe |wikidata=yes |zoom =9 |coord={{coord|53|36|52|N|112|51|58|W}}}}
 }}
 [[File:A camp supper in Elk Island National Park, Alta.jpg|thumb|]]
-'''Elk Island National Park''' is a [[National Parks of Canada|national park]] in [[Alberta]], Canada, that played an important part in the conservation of the [[Plains bison]]. The park is administered by the [[Parks Canada]] Agency. This "island of conservation" is {{convert|35|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of [[Edmonton]], along the [[Yellowhead Highway]], which goes through the park. It is Canada's eighth smallest in area but largest fully enclosed national park, with an area of {{convert|194|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.
+'''Elk Island National Park''' is a [[National Parks of Canada|national park]] in [[Alberta]], Canada, that played an important part in the conservation of the [[plains bison]]. The park is administered by the [[Parks Canada]] Agency. This "island of conservation" is {{convert|35|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of [[Edmonton]], along the [[Yellowhead Highway]], which goes through the park. It is Canada's eighth smallest in area but largest fully enclosed national park, with an area of {{convert|194|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.
-The park is representative of the northern prairies plateau ecosystem and as such, the knob and kettle landscape is a mix of native fescue grassland that has been converted to forage land dominated by non-native grasses, [[aspen parkland]] and boreal forest. As well, Elk Island plays host to both the largest and the smallest terrestrial mammals in North America, the [[wood bison]] and [[American Pygmy Shrew|pygmy shrew]] respectively.
+The park is representative of the northern prairies plateau ecosystem and as such, the knob and kettle landscape is a mix of native fescue grassland that has been converted to forage land dominated by non-native grasses, [[aspen parkland]] and boreal forest. As well, Elk Island hosts both the largest and the smallest terrestrial mammals in North America, the [[wood bison]] and [[American Pygmy Shrew|pygmy shrew]] respectively.
 == History ==
@@ Line 44: / Line 47: @@
   | access-date = May 21, 2014}}</ref>
-In early post-[[First contact (anthropology)|Contact]] history, the Beaverhills area was primarily used for commercial hunting. This led to over-hunting and the virtual elimination of beaver from the area by the 1830s and of large [[ungulate]]s by the 1860s. The area then became valuable for timber until 1894, when fire swept through the area. In 1899, the federal government designated the area the "[[Beaver Hills (Alberta)|Cooking Lake Forest Reserve]]". But while the forest was protected, it did little to protect the moose, elk and deer populations. Thus, in 1906,<ref>{{cite web
+In early post-[[First contact (anthropology)|Contact]] history, the Beaverhills area was primarily used for commercial hunting. This led to overhunting and the virtual elimination of beaver from the area by the 1830s and of large [[ungulate]]s by the 1860s. The area then became valuable for timber until 1894, when fire swept through the area. In 1899, the federal government designated the area the "[[Beaver Hills (Alberta)|Cooking Lake Forest Reserve]]". But while the forest was protected, it did little to protect the moose, elk and deer populations. Thus, in 1906,<ref>{{cite web
   | title = Elk Island National Park
   | work = National Parks of Canada
@@ Line 60: / Line 63: @@
 == Wildlife ==
 [[File:Pelican central.jpg|thumb|Pelicans on Astotin Lake]]
-Elk Island is home to the densest population of [[ungulates]] (hoofed mammals) in Canada. A variety of mammal species including [[coyote]], [[Plains bison|bison]], [[western moose|moose]], [[mule deer]], [[Canada lynx|lynx]], [[North American beaver|beaver]], [[Manitoban elk|elk]], [[white-tailed deer]], and [[North American porcupine|porcupine]] are year-round residents. [[American black bear|Black bear]]s and [[northwestern wolf|timber wolves]] certainly roam within this park, but they are not commonly seen by wildlife viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/07/23/elk-island-bears_n_5615449.html|title=Elk Island National Park Cameras Capture Elusive Black Bears (PHOTOS)|date=July 23, 2014|publisher=Huffington Post|access-date=July 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/alberta-approves-killing-six-wolves-in-national-park-after-cows-ripped-open-from-one-end-to-the-other|title=Alberta approves killing six wolves in national park after 'cows ripped open from one end to the other'|date=October 27, 2014|work=Postmedia News|publisher=National Post|access-date=July 21, 2016}}</ref> Over two hundred and fifty bird species can be found in the park at various times of year. Most notable among these are the [[red-necked grebe]]s, [[American white pelican]]s, [[double-crested cormorant]]s, [[great blue heron]]s, [[red-tailed hawk]]s, [[American bittern]]s and the [[trumpeter swan]]s.
+Elk Island is home to the densest population of [[ungulates]] (hoofed mammals) in Canada. A variety of mammal species including [[coyote]], [[Plains bison|bison]], [[western moose|moose]], [[mule deer]], [[Canada lynx|lynx]], [[North American beaver|beaver]], [[Manitoban elk|elk]], [[white-tailed deer]], and [[North American porcupine|porcupine]] are year-round residents. [[American black bear|Black bear]]s and [[northwestern wolf|timber wolves]] certainly roam within this park, but they are not commonly seen by wildlife viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/07/23/elk-island-bears_n_5615449.html|title=Elk Island National Park Cameras Capture Elusive Black Bears (PHOTOS)|date=July 23, 2014|publisher=Huffington Post|access-date=July 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/alberta-approves-killing-six-wolves-in-national-park-after-cows-ripped-open-from-one-end-to-the-other|title=Alberta approves killing six wolves in national park after 'cows ripped open from one end to the other'|date=October 27, 2014|work=Postmedia News|publisher=National Post|access-date=July 21, 2016}}</ref> Over 250 bird species can be found in the park at various times of year. Most notable among these are the [[red-necked grebe]]s, [[American white pelican]]s, [[double-crested cormorant]]s, [[great blue heron]]s, [[red-tailed hawk]]s, [[American bittern]]s and the [[trumpeter swan]]s.
 <gallery>
 Elklake.jpg|Astotin Lake
@@ Line 66: / Line 69: @@
 === Wildlife management ===
-Elk Island National Park maintains a thriving elk population, estimated at 605 in 2007, as well as around 300 moose and over 500 deer. [[Parks Canada]] transferred eighteen  moose from Elk Island to [[Nova Scotia]]'s [[Cape Breton Highlands National Park]] between 1947 and 1948. Reintroduction of traditional species has been an important focus as well. Besides the success of the wood and plains bison introduction, beavers were reintroduced in 1942, and in 2007 numbered near 1000. 1987 saw the beginning of a Trumpeter Swan reintroduction program me which is now seeing mating pairs returning to Elk Island, raising hope for a sustainable population.
+Elk Island National Park maintains a thriving elk population, estimated at 605 in 2007, as well as around 300 moose and over 500 deer. [[Parks Canada]] transferred eighteen  moose from Elk Island to [[Nova Scotia]]'s [[Cape Breton Highlands National Park]] between 1947 and 1948. Reintroduction of traditional species has been an important focus as well. Besides the success of the wood and plains bison introduction, beavers were reintroduced in 1942, and in 2007 numbered near 1000. 1987 saw the beginning of a trumpeter swan reintroduction programme, which {{as of|2007|lc=on}} was seeing mating pairs returning to Elk Island, raising hope for a sustainable population.
-Elk Island National Park also remains a seed herd for repopulation efforts in other areas. Elk Island elk have been relocated to various parts North America, including Ontario and the foothills of the [[Canadian Rockies|Rocky Mountains]]. Plains bison have been reintroduced to conservation areas scattered throughout their historic domain, for example [[American Prairie]] in eastern Montana, [[Grasslands National Park]] and the Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area in Saskatchewan, and in 2006, 30 wood bison were relocated to the [[Sakha Republic|Republic of Sakha]] (Yakutia) to begin repopulation efforts of the area historically inhabited by the now extinct [[Steppe Wisent|steppe bison]].<ref>{{cite news
+Elk Island National Park also remains a seed herd for repopulation efforts in other areas. Elk Island elk have been relocated to various parts North America, including Ontario and the foothills of the [[Canadian Rockies|Rocky Mountains]]. Plains bison have been reintroduced to conservation areas scattered throughout their historic domain, for example [[American Prairie (nature reserve)|American Prairie]] in eastern Montana, [[Grasslands National Park]] and the [[Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area]] in Saskatchewan, and in 2006, 30 wood bison were relocated to the [[Sakha Republic|Republic of Sakha]] (Yakutia) to begin repopulation efforts of the area historically inhabited by the now extinct [[steppe bison]].<ref>{{cite news
   | title = Oh give me a home: Elk Island National Park transfers wood bison to Russia
   | work = The Globe and Mail
@@ Line 85: / Line 88: @@
   | url =
   }}</ref><ref name="Markewicz 2018">{{Cite web|last=Markewicz|first=Lauren|date=2018-04-27|title=Like Distant Thunder: Canada's Bison Conservation Story|url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/elkisland/nature/eep-sar/bison|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-23|publisher=Parks Canada|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713173059/https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/elkisland/nature/eep-sar/bison |archive-date=2018-07-13 }}</ref>
-the Canadian government bought one of the last and largest remaining pure-bred plains bison, the Pablo-Allard herd, from Montana. Close to 400 bison were shipped to Elk Island as a temporary [[wikt:way station|waystation]] until the fencing at [[Buffalo National Park|Buffalo Park]] in Wainwright was completed. In 1909 the fence was finished and 325 bison were relocated to Buffalo National Park. However, 40-70 bison<ref name = "Herd"/> evaded capture and became the ancestors of today's herd in Elk Island National Park. Since 2007, Parks Canada has actively managed a herd of about 400 pure-bred and disease free plains bison<ref>{{cite web
+the Canadian government bought one of the last and largest remaining pure-bred plains bison, the Pablo-Allard herd, from Montana. Close to 400 bison were shipped to Elk Island as a temporary [[wikt:way station|waystation]] until the fencing at [[Buffalo National Park|Buffalo Park]] in Wainwright was completed. In 1909 the fence was finished and 325 bison were relocated to Buffalo National Park. However, 40–70 bison<ref name = "Herd"/> evaded capture and became the ancestors of today's herd in Elk Island National Park. Since 2007, Parks Canada has actively managed a herd of about 400 pure-bred and disease-free plains bison<ref>{{cite web
   | title = Elk Island home to rare, genetically pure and disease-free herd
   | publisher = FortSaskOnline
@@ Line 97: / Line 100: @@
   | url = https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/elkisland/nature/eep-sar/faq_bison
   | access-date = August 24, 2021
-}}</ref> in Elk Island. When the bison number over this amount they are sold. The proceeds of the sales go to help finance the needs of national parks.<ref>{{cite web
+}}</ref> in Elk Island. When the population exceeds this number, the excess bison are sold. The proceeds of the sales go to help finance the needs of national parks.<ref>{{cite web
   | title = Ungulate management
   | publisher = Parks Canada
@@ Line 105: / Line 108: @@
 }}</ref>
-In the late 19th century, only 300 wood bison remained worldwide, almost exclusively in [[Wood Buffalo National Park]]. During the 1920s, 6000-7000 plains bison were also relocated to Wood Buffalo National Park. These bison were not only infected with [[brucellosis]] and [[tuberculosis]], which infected the wood bison herd, but the wood and plains subspecies also [[Hybrid (biology)|interbred]], and thus it was thought that wood bison were completely extinct by the 1940s. In 1957, however, a disease-free, not fully but relatively pure wood bison herd of 200 was discovered near Nyarling river in Wood Buffalo National Park. In 1965, 23 of these bison were relocated to the south side of Elk Island National Park and remain there today as the most genetically pure wood bison remaining. In 2007, the wood bison population in Elk Island National Park was estimated at 315.
+In the late 19th century, only 300 wood bison remained worldwide, almost exclusively in [[Wood Buffalo National Park]]. During the 1920s, 6,000–7,000 plains bison were also relocated to Wood Buffalo National Park. These bison were not only infected with [[brucellosis]] and [[tuberculosis]], which infected the wood bison herd, but the wood and plains subspecies also [[Hybrid (biology)|interbred]], and thus it was thought that wood bison were completely extinct by the 1940s. In 1957, however, a disease-free, not fully but relatively pure wood bison herd of 200 was discovered near Nyarling river in Wood Buffalo National Park. In 1965, 23 of these bison were relocated to the south side of Elk Island National Park and remain there today as the most genetically pure wood bison remaining. In 2007, the wood bison population in Elk Island National Park was estimated at 315.
-Elk Island has become famous for exporting its ungulates to other conservation areas around North America, and even to Russia.  In 1996 elk were sent to [[Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area]] in Kentucky.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hear Fall Bugling at Land Between The Lakes Elk & Bison Prairie |url=http://www.grandrivers.org/wordpress/tag/elk-and-bison-prairie/ |website=Grand Rivers |date=September 13, 2013 |access-date=May 23, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524095550/http://www.grandrivers.org/wordpress/tag/elk-and-bison-prairie/ |archive-date=May 24, 2015 }}</ref>  Starting in 2005, a series of plains bison deliveries were made to the [[American Prairie]] in northeastern Montana, including 94 head in 2010 and 72 in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Proulx |title=Elk Island bison head to Montana |url=http://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/2012/02/02/elk-island-bison-head-to-montana |newspaper=Fort Saskatchewan Record |date=February 2, 2012 |access-date=May 23, 2015 |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524080941/http://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/2012/02/02/elk-island-bison-head-to-montana |url-status=dead }}</ref>  Three groups of 30 wood bison were sent to the [[Republic of Sakha]], in the Russian Federation, partly to replace the extinct steppe bison in the habitat but also a protection against any disease wiping out the North American herd of that species.<ref>{{cite web |first=Dalene |last=Heck |title=From Extinction to Alberta: the Bison's Tale |url=http://www.hecktictravels.com/elk-island-national-park-bison |website=Hecktic Travels |date=17 February 2014 |access-date=May 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Hanneke |last=Brooymans |title=Elk Island wood bison big hit in Russia |url=http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/cityplus/story.html?id=462cf6a8-bdb5-436b-a4a1-f0cd3c28896a |newspaper=Edmonton Journal |date=August 5, 2010 |access-date=May 23, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129103118/http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/cityplus/story.html?id=462cf6a8-bdb5-436b-a4a1-f0cd3c28896a |archive-date=November 29, 2014 }}</ref>
+Elk Island has become famous for exporting its ungulates to other conservation areas around North America, and even to Russia. In 1996, elk were sent to [[Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area]] in Kentucky.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hear Fall Bugling at Land Between The Lakes Elk & Bison Prairie |url=http://www.grandrivers.org/wordpress/tag/elk-and-bison-prairie/ |website=Grand Rivers |date=September 13, 2013 |access-date=May 23, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524095550/http://www.grandrivers.org/wordpress/tag/elk-and-bison-prairie/ |archive-date=May 24, 2015 }}</ref>  Starting in 2005, a series of plains bison deliveries were made to the [[American Prairie (nature reserve)|American Prairie]] in northeastern Montana, including 94 head in 2010 and 72 in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Proulx |title=Elk Island bison head to Montana |url=http://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/2012/02/02/elk-island-bison-head-to-montana |newspaper=Fort Saskatchewan Record |date=February 2, 2012 |access-date=May 23, 2015 |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524080941/http://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/2012/02/02/elk-island-bison-head-to-montana |url-status=dead }}</ref> Three groups of 30 wood bison were sent to the [[Sakha Republic|Republic of Sakha]], in the Russian Federation, partly to replace the extinct steppe bison in the habitat but also as protection against any disease wiping out the North American herd of that species.<ref>{{cite web |first=Dalene |last=Heck |title=From Extinction to Alberta: the Bison's Tale |url=http://www.hecktictravels.com/elk-island-national-park-bison |website=Hecktic Travels |date=17 February 2014 |access-date=May 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Hanneke |last=Brooymans |title=Elk Island wood bison big hit in Russia |url=http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/cityplus/story.html?id=462cf6a8-bdb5-436b-a4a1-f0cd3c28896a |newspaper=Edmonton Journal |date=August 5, 2010 |access-date=May 23, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129103118/http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/cityplus/story.html?id=462cf6a8-bdb5-436b-a4a1-f0cd3c28896a |archive-date=November 29, 2014 }}</ref>
 Conservationists transferred fifty-three wood bison from this national park to the [[Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center]] in June 2008. They were absent from [[Alaska]]n boreal forests for nearly one hundred years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alaskawildlife.org/wood-bison-restoration/|title=Wood Bison Restoration}}</ref>
@@ Line 113: / Line 116: @@
 == Climate ==
 {{Weather box
-|location = Elk Island National Park
+|location = Elk Island National Park, Alberta, 1981&ndash;2010 normals, extremes 1981&ndash;present
 |metric first = yes
 |single line = yes
@@ Line 156: / Line 159: @@
 |Dec high C = −4.1
 |year high C = 9.0
-|Jan mean C = −12.0
+|Jan mean C = -12.0
 |Feb mean C = −9.3
 |Mar mean C = −5.1
@@ Line 179: / Line 182: @@
 |Sep low C = 4.0
 |Oct low C = −1.3
-|Nov low C = −10.0
+|Nov low C = -10.0
 |Dec low C = −15.1
 |year low C = −3.1
@@ Line 185: / Line 188: @@
 |Feb record low C = −40.5
 |Mar record low C = −42.5
-|Apr record low C = −30.0
+|Apr record low C = -30.0
 |May record low C = −7.4
 |Jun record low C = −0.9
 |Jul record low C = 3.3
-|Aug record low C = −1.0
+|Aug record low C = -1.0
 |Sep record low C = −6.7
 |Oct record low C = −21.5
-|Nov record low C = −35.0
+|Nov record low C = -35.0
 |Dec record low C = −38.5
 |year record low C = −43.4
@@ Line 208: / Line 211: @@
 |Dec chill = −42.4
 |year chill = −45.4
+|precipitation colour = green
 |Jan precipitation mm = 18.2
 |Feb precipitation mm = 11.3
@@ Line 247: / Line 251: @@
 |Dec snow cm = 16.4
 |year snow cm = 110.7
+|unit precipitation days = 0.2mm
+|Jan precipitation days = 9.2
+|Feb precipitation days = 6.6
+|Mar precipitation days = 8.5
+|Apr precipitation days = 7.0
+|May precipitation days = 11.0
+|Jun precipitation days = 15.0
+|Jul precipitation days = 16.3
+|Aug precipitation days = 12.8
+|Sep precipitation days = 13.1
+|Oct precipitation days = 9.0
+|Nov precipitation days = 7.2
+|Dec precipitation days = 9.1
+|unit rain days = 0.2mm
+|Jan rain days = 0.8
+|Feb rain days = 0.35
+|Mar rain days = 1.4
+|Apr rain days = 4.5
+|May rain days = 10.5
+|Jun rain days = 15.0
+|Jul rain days = 16.3
+|Aug rain days = 12.8
+|Sep rain days = 13.1
+|Oct rain days = 6.9
+|Nov rain days = 1.6
+|Dec rain days = 0.94
+|unit snow days = 0.2 cm
+|Jan snow days = 8.5
+|Feb snow days = 6.3
+|Mar snow days = 7.6
+|Apr snow days = 3.1
+|May snow days = 0.70
+|Jun snow days = 0.0
+|Jul snow days = 0.0
+|Aug snow days = 0.0
+|Sep snow days = 0.06
+|Oct snow days = 2.8
+|Nov snow days = 6.1
+|Dec snow days = 8.6
 |source 1 = [[Environment Canada]]<ref name= "climate">{{cite web
 |url =http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=1873&lang=e&dCode=0&province=ALTA&provBut=Go&month1=0&month2=12| title = Elk Island National Park| work = Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010| date = 31 October 2011| publisher = Environment Canada| language = en, fr| access-date = February 27, 2014}}</ref>
@@ Line 256: / Line 303: @@
 Elk Island National Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. Park User Fees apply. Popular year-round activities include birding and wildlife gazing.<ref>{{Cite book|title=National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of Canada|publisher=National Geographic Partners|year=2017|isbn=978-1-4262-1756-2|edition=Second|location=Washington, D.C.|pages=197|oclc=}}</ref> Winter activities include unserviced camping, hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Summer activities include hiking, golfing, kayaking/canoeing, mountain biking, and unserviced camping. Services include telephones, potable water and year-round washrooms. Swimming is not recommended due to risk of contracting [[Swimmer's itch]]. Fires are allowed in designated fire pits.
+In 1955, a bison cull was filmed for the John Ford film ''[[The Searchers]]''.<ref>[https://historyboots.wordpress.com/2017/11/05/do-not-present-a-gruesome-spectacle-filming-bison-for-hollywood-at-elk-island-in-1955/ Do Not Present a Gruesome Spectacle: Filming Bison for Hollywood at Elk Island in 1955]</ref>
-[[Parkbus]] offers a seasonal shuttle service to the park.
 On September 3, 2006, the [[Beaver Hills (Alberta)|Beaver Hills]] [[dark-sky preserve]], which includes Elk Island National Park within its boundaries, was declared in a ceremony held at Astotin Lake.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rasc.ca/content/beaver-hills-dark-sky-preserve |title=Beaver Hills Dark-Sky Preserve |publisher=Royal Astronomical Society of Canada |access-date=July 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616155145/http://rasc.ca/content/beaver-hills-dark-sky-preserve |archive-date=June 16, 2012 }}</ref>
@@ Line 269: / Line 316: @@
 * [[List of parks in Alberta]]
 * [[List of trails in Alberta]]
-* [[List of mountains in Alberta]]
+* [[List of mountains of Alberta]]
 * [[List of waterfalls of Alberta]]

v t e Protected areas in Alberta
World Heritage Sites	Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Dinosaur Provincial Park Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Wood Buffalo National Park Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi
National parks	Banff Elk Island Jasper Waterton Lakes Wood Buffalo
Provincial parks, wildlands and wildernesses	Aspen Beach Antelope Hill Beauvais Lake Big Hill Springs Big Island Big Knife Bow Valley Bragg Creek Brown-Lowery Calling Lake Canmore Nordic Centre Caribou Mountains Carson-Pegasus Castle Castle Wildland Chain Lakes Cold Lake Crimson Lake Cross Lake Crow Lake Cypress Hills Dillberry Lake Dinosaur Dry Island Buffalo Jump Dunvegan Eagle Point Fish Creek Garner Lake Glenbow Ranch Gooseberry Lake Greene Valley Gregoire Lake Hilliard's Bay Hay-Zama Lakes Jarvis Bay Kinbrook Island Kananaskis Country Lakeland Lesser Slave Lake Little Bow Little Fish Lois Hole Centennial Long Lake Midland Miquelon Lake Moonshine Lake Moose Lake Notikewin Obed Lake O'Brien Park Lake Pembina River Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Pierre Grey's Lakes Pigeon Lake Police Outpost Queen Elizabeth Ram Falls Red Lodge Rochon Sands Rock Lake Saskatoon Island Sheep River Sir Winston Churchill Spray Valley Strathcona Science Sundance Sylvan Lake Thunder Lake Tillebrook Two Lakes Vermilion Wabamun Lake Whitney Lakes William A. Switzer Williamson Willmore Wilderness Willow Creek Winagami Lake Woolford Writing-on-Stone Wyndham-Carseland Young's Point
Urban parks	Calgary Zoo Carburn Park Devonian Gardens Edmonton Valley Zoo Edworthy Park Griffith Woods Park Indian Battle Park Lawrey Gardens Mill Woods Park Muttart Conservatory North Saskatchewan River Valley Nose Hill Oldman River Valley Pearce Estate Park Sylvan Lake University of Alberta Botanic Garden Weaselhead Flats Wood's Douglas Fir Tree Sanctuary
Museums and historic sites	Alberta Central Railway Museum Atlas Coal Mine Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre Canadian Tractor Museum Cold Lake Air Force Ellis Bird Farm Fort Calgary Fort Edmonton Park Fort Victoria Fort Whoop-Up Frank Slide Galt Historic Railway Park Glenbow Museum Heritage Acres Farm Museum Heritage Park Krause Milling Co. Pioneer Acres Prairie Elevator Museum Remington Carriage Museum Reynolds Royal Alberta Royal Tyrrell Scandia Eastern Irrigation District Museum South Peace Centennial Museum Spruce Grove Grain Elevator Museum St. Albert Grain Elevator Park Ukrainian Village Warner elevator row Whyte National historic sites Provincial historic sites

v t e National parks of Canada
National parks	Akami−Uapishkᵘ−KakKasuak−Mealy Mountains^† Aulavik Auyuittuq Banff Bruce Peninsula Cape Breton Highlands Elk Island Forillon Fundy Georgian Bay Islands Glacier Grasslands Gros Morne Gulf Islands^† Gwaii Haanas and Haida^† Ivvavik Jasper Kejimkujik Kluane^‡ Kootenay Kouchibouguac La Mauricie Mingan Archipelago^† Mount Revelstoke Nááts'ihch'oh^† Nahanni^† Pacific Rim^† Pituamkek^† Point Pelee Prince Albert Prince Edward Island Pukaskwa Qausuittuq Quttinirpaaq Riding Mountain Rouge^U Sable Island^† Sirmilik South Okanagan—Similkameen^† Terra Nova Thaidene Nëné^† Thousand Islands Torngat Mountains Tuktut Nogait Ukkusiksalik Vuntut Wapusk Waterton Lakes Wood Buffalo Yoho
Marine Conservation Areas	Fathom Five Gwaii Haanas and Haida^† Lake Superior Magdalen Islands Saguenay-St. Lawrence Strait of Georgia^† Tallurutiup Imanga
National Landmarks	Pingo
Proposed ^† Reserve ^U Urban ^‡ Park and Reserve Category Canada portal

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