Park Facts
How far (in kms) is Elk Island National Park from Edmonton?
About 35 kms
True or False: The Bison is the largest land mammal in North America
True
How long have people lived in the Beaver Hills area?
About 8,000 years.
What animal is known as an "ecosystem engineer"?
A beaver
How far away should you stay from a bison?
100 metres.
Is Elk Island actually an island?
No
What are the two types of bison found at Elk Island?
Plains bison and wood bison
Before horses and firearms, what helped Indigenous hunters successfully hunt bison?
Knowledge of bison behaviour and courage.
Why are wetlands important?
They provide habitats for many plants and animals.
What should you do if you see a bison while driving?
Stay in your vehicle, watch from a safe distance, and move on when safe.
Name one habitat found in Elk Island National Park.
Forest, grassland, wetland, or lake.
About how many bison were left by the late 1800s?
Fewer than 1000
What happened to Indigenous communities when bison populations declined?
Food shortages and loss of traditional ways of life.
Name two large animals that live in Elk Island besides bison.
Elk, moose, white-tailed deer, mule deer
What should you do if a bison stops grazing and stares at you?
Back away immediately until it returns to grazing.
Why is Elk Island important?
It protects wildlife and helps conserve bison.
Name three things bison provided for Indigenous Peoples.
Food, clothing, shelter materials, tools, or storage bags.
What treaty was negotiated when people's way of life was under threat?
Treaty 6
What do beaver dams create?
Wetlands or ponds.
What does it mean if your thumb does NOT completely cover the bison when your arm is stretched out in front of you?
You are too close and need to back away slowly.
What year was Elk Island National Park established?
1906
Why did bison populations become so small?
Commercial hunting
What does giving a Star Blanket show?
Respect, honour, and admiration.
How many species of birds live in Elk Island?
More than 250.
Name two warning signs that a bison may be feeling threatened or aggressive.
Snorting, shaking/tossing its head, raising its tail, pawing the ground, false charging, turning its back and defecating.