A paper on movements of reintroduced plains bison in Banff National Park was published.
Interestingly, these bison, despite originating from a flat habitat, seasonally frequent rugged, high-elevation terrains.And additional studies suggest that historically some bison might have lived entirely in Banff mountains.To think about European bison living in mountains, it may be not strange to think American bison can also inhabit mountains.(Can you spot bison in these photos?)
News to me and good pix.
There’s some research and early insights on how American Elk and American Bison migrated along the Appalachian crest, creating the iconic “balds” which are open Prairie habitat where their should be forest. Other megafauna likely also created balds. Today, prescribed burns and cattle are the only things keeping balds open and neither are very efficient. https://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/…/megafauna…/knowles.pdf Danny Lough
I never heard of this before either.
As usual, open in new tabs to embiggen.
Judging from the pictures the bison appear to be very near the tree line. That is serious elevation. Sheep country.
While flying above Krusenstern NM in Northern Alaska last August we spotted a group of 6 muskox grazing at treeline in a grove of spruce. Our local pilot had never seen them in such a place. We had struck out looking for them on the coastal plain they usually inhabit.
Animals will use all suitable habitat at some portion of the year.