New Conservation and Action Plan released for Aishihik bison population

The Government of Yukon has released a new Conservation and Action Plan for the Aishihik bison population. The new collaborative plan articulates a longer-term vision and recommendations for conservation and management of the Aishihik bison population.

The plan promotes:

• ensuring the population remains healthy and viable;
• fostering further cultural connection to bison;
• sustainable harvest management;
• mechanisms for the resolution of land use issues such as the effects of bison hunting on traplines; and
• increasing knowledge sharing between bison management partners.

Nationally, bison are a threatened species, but in the Yukon the population is healthy and growing. This new management plan supports the national recovery strategy for bison, which is a requirement under the federal Species at Risk Act. The Aishihik bison population contribute significantly to the global conservation of bison.

In the implementation of the plan, every effort will be made to understand bison and their biological needs so that management can best minimize risks to Yukon ecosystems, communities and the bison themselves.

The plan was developed by the Yukon Bison Technical Team, which includes members from the federal and territorial government, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, Kluane First Nation, White River First Nation, the Alsek, Carmacks, Dän Keyi and Laberge Renewable Resources Councils, the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board and observers from the Yukon Fish and Game Association, Parks Canada and the local outfitter.