Latest news with #keystone species
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘Come back into play': Wanuskewin bison herd has grown in the past five years
Wanuskewin Heritage Park is marking national bison week by highlighting the cultural and ecological significance of bison. 'Bison are regarded as a keystone species,' said Ian Hnatowich, manager of natural resources and ecology at Wanuskewin. 'Without the bison on this landscape — much like a building would crumble and fail without the keystone — these environments would similarly begin to crumble and fail.' Bison behaviour create conditions and habitats that can benefit other plants and animals. Their waste incubates insect eggs and larvae, which in turn provide food for endangered prairie bird species. As bison roam, they also help spread seeds, and birds use their shed fur for nesting. Nearly 150 years after facing near extinction, bison are making a comeback. In 2019, a small herd of 11 bison was introduced to Wanuskewin. That herd has since grown to more than 50, and their presence is already making a noticeable impact on the landscape. 'We've seen the rejuvenation of several different specific animal species and their populations,' Hnatowich told CTV News. 'We've also seen new species that should be part of this environment start to slowly come back into play.' Bison also hold spiritual and cultural importance for many Indigenous communities. Historically, they were used for a variety of purposes including food, clothing, and ceremonial practices. 'Bison have such a huge history here on the Plains, and they are so intertwined with the history of Indigenous people,' said Jessie Muhlbach, a senior interpretive guide. 'So, when you learn about bison, you're also learning about the land and Indigenous culture.' National bison week encourages people to celebrate the species. 'Because it's national bison week, coming out here and spending time with the bison is a great way to understand Wanuskewin in its complete form,' said Andrew McDonald, co-executive director of Wanuskewin. National bison week runs until Saturday.
BBC News
12-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Two baby beavers born in Cornwall as part of wildlife project
Two baby beavers have been born in Cornwall as part of a wildlife reintroduction project. The parent beavers, Twiggy and Byrti, were introduced to a purpose-built enclosure on the Lost Gardens of Heligan estate in 2023 and 2024 respectively. It was part of a national programme of reintroducing the species more than 400 years after their extinction in Britain, said The Lost Gardens of Davies, wildlife coordinator at the gardens, said: "They looked to be a couple months old, but that's quite common for them to hide them away for a couple of months, and then all of a sudden, they kind of spring up." He added: "It's just such amazing news, I keep saying to everyone, I'm like a proud dad."Mr Davies said in the wild baby beavers, or kits as they are called, would usually stay with the parents for a couple years before Lost Gardens of Heligan said beavers were an important keystone species and their reintroduction was being monitored to gauge their impact on local biodiversity, flood mitigation and grazing livestock. It worked with The Welsh Beaver Project, Beaver Trust and Natural England on their reintroduction well as beavers, the gardens have reintroduced water voles and glow worms to the estate and bosses said they were working on reintroducing red squirrels in Davies said the beavers kits were yet to be named but would be named soon.
