Huge herds of bison once roamed the plains of Alberta in numbers of up to an estimated 60 million in the 17th century. Due to excessive overhunting and a steady loss of habitat, they are now listed on the province's endangered list. Just a short distance north of Waterton Lakes Nation Park on Highway 6 is the Waterton Bison Paddock, where a protected herd of rare Plains bison is kept for viewing as a reminder of their legacy as well as in attempt to aid in increasing their population size and advance their species. The herd at Waterton is originally from Elk Island National Park, which has a healthy bison stock.

In 2008, Waterton Lakes National Park was considering shedding the small bison herd that's been stationed in the park for more than five decades. However, the 2010 Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada Management Plan states that the Waterton Plains Bison Display Herd will be maintained in the park. Public consultation has shown that the public is adamant about having a display herd of Plains Bison in Waterton Lakes National Park.