Bison Control Area 

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The Bison Control Area (BCA) is a buffer zone that reduces the risk of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis infected bison in the Slave River Lowlands and Wood Buffalo National Park coming in contact with disease-free bison in the Mackenzie, Nahanni, and Hay-Zama (Alberta) populations. Any bison found within this area are assumed to be diseased and are removed and tested. Bison are capable of moving long distances and are sometimes spotted within the BCA. The public is requested to report any bison seen within the BCA. If you see a bison in the area, please report it as soon as possible to the nearest ENR office. The success of this program is largely dependant on the public and their cooperation.

Bison Control Area Map

Nuisance Bison Control Regulations

Program History

In the 1920s more than 6000 plains bison were moved to Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP). The mixing of these plains bison with the wood bison already present in the WBNP resulted in the hybridization of these two species and the introduction of two cattle diseases: tuberculosis and brucellosis (Tessaro 1989).

In 1963, eighteen healthy bison were taken from WBNP and transported and released into the area around Fort Providence. These eighteen bison were founders of today's healthy Mackenzie population. In 2008, this herd was estimated at 1600 animals, making it the largest wild, disease-free herd of bison in Canada.

In 1965, twenty-three healthy bison were taken from WBNP and shipped to Elk Island National Park (EINP) in Alberta. These founder bison have provided stock for many reintroduction projects, including the Nahanni herd. In 1980, 28 wood bison from EINP were released near the confluence of the Liard and Nahanni Rivers. Twelve more animals were released in 1989 and another 58 in 1998. In 2006, this herd was estimated at 400.

Tuberculosis and brucellosis in bison herds in the Slave River Lowlands and WBNP pose a threat to the disease-free status of the Mackenzie and Nahanni herds as well as the Hay-Zama herd, located in northwest Alberta. These diseased bison also prevent the reestablishment of healthy herds within the affected region.

In 1987, the Government of the Northwest Territories began a program to reduce the risk of contact between diseased and healthy herds of bison. This program established a zone from which bison were to be excluded; the Bison Control Area (BCA). This area encompasses over 3,936,339 hectares of land being bounded in the south by the NWT border, in the north by the Mackenzie River, in the east by the Trout River and in the west by the Buffalo River.


The program's objectives are to detect and remove any bison in the BCA and keep bison from becoming established in this zone. To accomplish this, aerial surveys are run throughout the winter months, any bison found in the BCA are tested to confirm their disease status and public campaigns are run to increase awareness of the bison control program.

Since 1933 the bison control program has been jointly funded by the Government of the Northwest Territories (Environment & Natural Resources) and the Government of Canada (Parks Canada Agency). Both governments realize the impotrance of maintaining healthy wood bison herds and promoting the growth of this species.