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To the west, the escarpment's edge gradually
merges into a gently rolling landscape of a
highland plateau, where plant and animal communities
meet. Large herds of elk gather in sedge meadows
while wolf packs congregate in nearby forests.
Lynx and cougar inhabit the woodlands, bald
eagles and osprey nest along the streams and
lakes. The aspen parkland is an extremely productive
wildlife habitat where white-tailed deer, coyotes,
snowshoe hares and ground squirrels are conspicuous
mammals. In the past, vast herds of bison ranged
into the aspen zone. Other large mammals include
black bears, which can weigh up to 400 kilograms,
moose, elk, and wolves. Efforts continue to
monitor the gray wolf population since they
are few in number, highly mobile and vulnerable
to human impact. Black bears easily range 100
kilometres a day and many have grown bigger
than most grizzlies. There are now about 3500
beaver dams in the park and over 18 000 beavers;
with such an exploding population, problems
do exist, such as the dams preventing fish spawning
in some areas. There are at least 260 bird species
including great gray owls. The dozens of prairie
potholes provide for the highest density of
breeding dabbling ducks in North America, particularly
mallards, shovellers and pintails.
Recent archeological evidence of habitation,
fishing, hunting, tool and pottery making and
burial activities suggests that aboriginal peoples
have inhabited the area for at least 6000 years.
More recently the Ojibway migrated from eastern
regions to inhabit the Riding Mountain area,
previously the home of the Nakota Nation. The
Nakotas, known to travel widely, shifted west
and south moving tribal boundaries. The Ojibway,
active fur traders, roamed throughout the area
trapping, fishing and hunting. Today there are
several First Nation communities around the
park. In 1896, a fishing reserve established
on the shores of Clear Lake for the Keeseekoowenin
Ojibway First Nations was wrongfully removed
in 1930 at the time of the establishment of
the park; this land was returned in 1991 after
the Band made a land claim. Oral histories of
various elders have added not only to our archeological
and geographical knowledge, but also to our
understanding of the sacred meaning that the
mountain and its waters hold. In 1931 the famous
Archie Belaney, aka Grey Owl was hired by Riding
Mountain National Park to re-establish the ailing
beaver population. Grey Owl stayed only six
months, before moving to his new post in Prince
Albert, claiming the lakes were too dry for
the beavers. The beaver population has since
been restored and today numbers somewhere around
18,000. Grey Owl's cabin is a popular hiking
destination at Beaver Lake Lodge.
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