After More Than A Century, Bison Return To Canada's Oldest National Park

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http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/02/07/513935921/after-more-than-a-century-bison-return-to-canadas-oldest-national-park

For the first time in more than a century, plains bison are roaming in Canada's oldest national park. Banff National Park is hailing their return as a "historic and cultural triumph."

Helicopters lower the shipping containers carrying bison into a valley, in video posted on CBC. Then the doors of the containers swing open and bison charge into the park where they have deep historical roots.

"This is a great day for Banff National Park. It's a great day for Canada and frankly, it's one of the great days for wildlife conservation in the history of North America," conservationist Harvey Locke told the broadcaster.

Hunters pushed the species nearly to extinction, but the animals "were historically dominant grazers that helped shape the ecosystems of what is now Banff National Park," the park says. "The restoration of bison to Banff will return a keystone species to the landscape, foster cultural reconnection, inspire discovery, and provide stewardship and learning opportunities."

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1. good news!