The detection and monitoring of wood bison within specified areas will allow Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) to: monitor bison movement, assess potential for interactions between diseased and non-diseased bison, and undertake appropriate response actions when required.
AEP requires fixed-wing aircraft services to undertake bi-weekly flights to search specified surveillance zone for evidence of bison presence (tracks or observations) and relocate radio-collared bison within northern Alberta. Depending on pilot experience, this work may be done solely by the pilot or with additional contractor employees on-board. Flight crews will record the location, type (tracks or animals) and relative age (old, new) of all bison observations, including number of all bison observed.
Recent signs of bison presence (or suspected presence) will be investigated, confirmed and located. Group sizes will be recorded when safe and practical to do so but location information is critical. Without accurate bison sightings or location information, appropriate management response actions are not possible. Pilots with experience surveying and relocating radio-collared bison or other herding ungulates are essential to reduce stress on bison, provide accurate locations, and maintain search efficiencies as inexperience can lead to longer search times, missed evidence, or reporting of non-bison observations.
Bison throughout northern Alberta have been fitted with radio-collars to monitor their movements and survival. AEP requires fixed-wing aircraft support to locate radio-collared bison using VHF collar transmissions. This work requires company supplied telemetry antennae to be mounted on the exterior of the aircraft, and receiver to be able to be integrated into the aircraft’s internal avionics system. The successful contractor must have demonstrated experience conducting aerial radio-telemetry and have all necessary equipment to undertake telemetry-based surveys. During radio-collar relocation surveys, all bison observed are counted, located and when possible, classified by age (adult/calf).
Flight frequency is every two weeks, weather dependent. Proponents are responsible for determining appropriate staging and logistics. In discussion with AEP staff, an approximate flightpath through the surveillance zone (Attachment 5) will be selected that selects optimal bison habitats and flight efficiencies.
Bids will be assessed in consideration of a combination of factors, including contractor experience, qualifications, demonstrated success in achieving project requirements in equivalent landscapes and related field conditions, appropriateness of available aircraft, and price.
