Sage grouse making tiny comeback in Alberta, Saskatchewan

A classic prairie bird is slowly re-establishing Itself in its grassland home, two years after the sage grouse became
one of the first species to get emergency protection from the federal government.

Sage grouse numbers have almost quadrupled since 2014, with nearly 80 male birds in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan.

The protection order — which prohibited destruction of any more grouse habitat, banned new roads and controlled noise — stemmed from legal action taken by environmental groups.

That protection order created lawsuits of its own when a Calgary energy firm sued Ottawa, saying the order forced the company into receivership.

Jordan Ignatiuk of Nature Saskatchewan says weather over the last couple has also helped the grouse’s burgeoning recovery.

The sage grouse is famous for its mating displays, in which the males inflate their chest, drum and dance to attract females.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today