The N.W.T. Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC) has observed a decrease in bison road collisions. Between 2021 and 2025, there were 60 reported collisions with bison, but in 2026, only one collision has been recorded. Bison ecologist Terry Armstrong attributes this decline to wildfires, as fires cause bison to shift their habitat towards burnt areas where they find new vegetation.
The recent increase in bison presence in wildfire-affected regions has led to fewer collisions on roads, a positive development for the threatened wood bison population in the N.W.T. According to ECC estimates, the current wood bison population in the region stands at around 2,500 individuals, with Armstrong suggesting a total population of several thousand.
ECC spokesperson Toyeke Adedipe highlighted that between 2021 and 2025, collisions resulted in the death of at least 76 bison, with most incidents occurring along Highway 3. Armstrong emphasized the risk of encounters with aggressive bison during the rutting season from August to September, when bulls engage in dominance battles.
As the season transitions into darker days, visibility decreases, increasing the likelihood of collisions. Armstrong advised drivers to exercise caution, maintain a safe distance from bison, refrain from provoking them, and never attempt to interact with the animals. He underscored the importance of respecting the bison’s space and recognizing their significance as one of North America’s largest and oldest land mammals.