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Overview
We are gathering input to help develop a wood bison recovery plan that outlines goals, objectives, strategies and actions to support wood bison and their habitat in northern Alberta.
Wood bison were listed as threatened under the Wildlife Act in some areas of the province in 2021 and are facing challenges due to disease and conflict with humans.
Feedback will help us ensure the finalized plan supports the long-term viability and growth of Alberta's disease-free populations of wood bison, while considering how to mitigate potential adverse environmental, social and economic impacts of implementing the plan.
Get informed
Listing wood bison as threatened under the Wildlife Act was based on an assessment of Alberta’s wood bison risk of extinction, using International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) species risk assessment criteria. The threatened status triggered the need for a wood bison recovery plan.
Read the draft wood bison recovery plan, which outlines specific actions to protect Alberta’s wild wood bison populations, and enable wood bison conservation and recovery. The draft plan was prepared with input from Indigenous communities and organizations, and local stakeholders.
Get involved
Online survey
Complete the online survey to share your input on the draft recovery plan by April 9, 2026.
Indigenous engagement
We worked with representatives of Indigenous communities and organizations through a series of committees organized around the Hay-Zama/Etthithun and Wabasca wood bison populations in northern Alberta to create a draft recovery plan. Indigenous engagement related to the Ronald Lake population was primarily through the Ronald Lake Buffalo Herd Cooperative Management Board, who are concurrently developing a management plan for the Ronald Lake population.
Content from this draft Ronald Lake management plan guided development of applicable sections of this draft recovery plan. We will continue to work directly with Indigenous communities and organizations to gather their perspectives.
Resources
Learn more about current threats to Alberta’s wood bison and their habitat:
- Wood Bison Status Changes in Alberta
- Managing disease risk in northern Alberta wood bison - outside of Wood Buffalo National Park : progress report
- Wood bison disease management: Supporting disease-free populations of wood bison in Northern Alberta
Outcomes
All input on the draft plan will be considered in the final Wood Bison Recovery Plan. The Endangered Species Conservation Committee will review the final plan and provide recommendations to the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas regarding approval and implementation of the plan.
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