Bison Integrated Genomics
The BIG Project
The BIG Idea
Ensure the existence of healthy bison,
as they were for generations past,
for generations to come.
What is the BIG Project?
The BIG Project is a generational project, aiming to aid in long-term bison conservation efforts. Leveraging new technologies for disease-management and genetic diversity, this groundbreaking project partners with Indigenous communities to center the work in local contexts with local processes
Why is the BIG project important?
Biologists have estimated that there were around 30 million plains bison and
168,000 wood bison prior to the 20th century. However, by the turn of the century, both plains and wood bison populations were reduced by over 99% to near extinction levels.
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The introduction of diseases (Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis), the increase of human populations into bison areas, urbanization of natural migration corridors, and
the economic shift in worldviews of bison being utilized as a commodity
have led to a crisis for both plains and wood bison, with on-going repercussions felt today.
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The BIG Project recognizes the decisions of the past
have left wood bison with two major challenges:
disease and isolation.
There are around 6000 wood bison in 10 wild herds that are disease-free,
and another 3000 in diseased herds in and around Wood Buffalo National Park.
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Without the ability to naturally mingle and reproduce, wood bison are
at a critical time in history to ensure genetic diversity and population growth
in these isolated herds.
Activities of BIG
The BIG Project has four main activities to
help address the challenges bison face
Improved Disease
Testing
Vaccine Development
Understand Herd
Genetics & Diversity
Create a Bison
Genome Biobank
Indigenous Partnerships
Successfully assisting with bison conservation using these western science methods is
only possible if Western Sciences partner and align strategies with Indigenous communities.
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The Indigenous Engagement Team for the BIG project works with Indigenous communities
to ensure culturally relevant decision-making models are
the grounding principles in establishing partnerships and creating pathways for BIG activities.
This project is funded by
the Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAAP)
