Elk Island National Park
Alberta |
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Elk
Island  |
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Elk Island National Park is an island, not in the
geographical sense, but in terms of its landscape
of small hills and depressions surrounded by flat
plains, and by virtue of its purpose, to create
a fenced refuge for the protection and preservation
of 3000 head of hoofed mammals, one of the highest
concentrations of big game animals
in the world. It was the first federally controlled
area in Canada to be enclosed to protect a native
mammal, the elk, and also the first large mammal
sanctuary
established in Canada. Set in the Beaver Hills,
45 kilometres east of Edmonton, Alberta, its 194
square kilometres rises 60 metres above the surrounding
prairie, an oasis of boreal mixed forest and aspen
parkland vegetation.
It is also an island of protection for the heritage
resources within its boundaries, and an island of
tranquility for the 350 000 - 400 000 visitors who
each year approach the park as a destination for
nature and wildlife viewing.
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