They are tagging bison at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park but not for the normal reason you tag cattle. The tags have GPS capabilities allowing visitors to the provincial park to easily see where bison are in the park. The GPS technology identifies the herd’s location and displays it on a screen in the Visitor Centre.

Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Alana Ross said. “With this new tracking system, park staff can make sure both the bison and the land remain healthy. It will also help visitors create a deeper connection to nature and the cultural importance of these remarkable animals.”

Bison were first introduced back into the park in 1972. Over the years the size of the herd has fluctuated as park staff learned about grazing patterns and how much space they need. The tracking system was installed to provide better data to support herd management.

The government suggests Saskatchewan livestock producers may also benefit because the information will lay the groundwork about bison behaviour and using technology to track livestock.