Annual Events With much of the calf crop already shipped north, the Park was still experiencing surprising advances in the buffalo population. Sage, drought, and over-grazing threatened the range, hay production had to be increased, and after an investigation by the Department of Agriculture it was determined the livestock were infected by a parasite known as liver fluke. In 1929 the Park resumed scheduled slaughters. This annual occurrence seemed drastic to some, but a necessary action to control the growing numbers of buffalo within the Park. During the next six years, more than 6300 bison were killed and butchered at the abbatoir. Meat packing firms bid on the contract, sending their own butchers and agreeing to government inspection of the carcasses. The government sold hides for $45 each. In 1935, roundup was cancelled due to fire destroying the abbatoir. A new structure with cement engine room was ready for operation the following year and by January of 1939, and additional 4768 buffalo were slaughtered. These last two years had included elimination of excess elk, the meat from these animals distributed to various Indian agencies across the Canadian Prairies. Inspection of both buffalo and elk carcasses continued to reveal bovine tuberculosis and liver fluke. Dr. Hawden, a doctor of Veterinary Science in Toronto, and familiar with the Park operation and slaughter, put forth a proposal that all animals now residing within the Park’s enclosures should be destroyed immediately. Alternate, uninfected herds of buffalo existed in other Canadian parks, and it was with concern for these animals that the decision was made to order the complete removal of wild animals in Buffalo National Park. The final slaughter took place in the fall of 1939, eradicating 2918 buffalo, 1806 elk, 113 moose, and 242 deer. _________image_________ Above: Buffalo carcasses at the abbatoir (1920’s) Below: In 1935 fire destroyed the first abbatoir. A new building, partially of cement, was constructed at the same site. Most of its equipment was sent to Elk Island Park after 1939’s last roundup. _________image_________