Nearly a 150 years ago, Plains bison disappeared from the land where Wanuskewin Heritage Park is today.

Now, the park has welcomed six female calves from Grasslands National park along with one mature bull and four pregnant female bison with ancestral ties to Yellowstone National Park in the United States.

Those at the park say by introducing bison back to the land, they’re able to help restore native grasses and create habitat for an animal who was all but extinct in the late 1800’s.

CEO of Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Darlene Brander says says a $5 million dollar donation by the Brownlee Family Foundation helps the park achieve its goal of bringing bison back, by ensuring the herd is healthy now and for many generations to come.

The pregnant bison are expected to give birth their baby calves in April.

Dr. Ernie Walker, an original founding member of Wanuskewin Heritage Park says in the spring, you’ll see little orange calves roaming the land once they’re born.

Dr. Walker says when you take a look over the outlook at the bison, your attention will instantly be directed to the mature bull that was brought to park from the United States.

“This animal has direct connections to those early Yellowstone days.” says Dr. Walker.

He adds this is the first time in a 150 years that a mature bull with ties to Yellowstone National Park has crossed the international border.

The six female calves from Grasslands National Park were given to Wanuskewin through a partnership Parks Canada. The land that the new animals roam on has been leased from the City of Saskatoon on a 99 year lease.

Brander says having a keystone species such as the bison, helps contribute to parks’ UNESCO application. The park hopes to become a UNESCO Heritage Site within the next few years. Two other sites in Canada are also seeking UNESCO status.