The Wood Buffalo Viewing Point and Bison Sanctuary is located very close to Fort McMurray, and it was created by Syncrude to help protect the Wood Bison which is native to this area. The attraction is situated just off of Highway 63 about 21 miles north of Fort McMurray. The sanctuary sits at the front entrance to the self guided trails developed by Syncrude. As you explore the trails you may see a number of Wood Bison, and it is important to remember that these are wild animals and not domesticated pets. You will also see many native plants and other species of wildlife. The bison herd is approximately 300 strong, and these animals are not usually aggressive but you should take care not to disturb or anger them in their natural habitat.
The Wood Buffalo Viewing Point and Bison Sanctuary is an exciting and scenic experience for all ages. The wood buffalo is the biggest terrestrial mammal that is native to Canada, and it can be enormous. This animal is similar in appearance to bison or plains buffalo, and an adult male can weigh as much as 1,000 kg. The Wood Buffalo Viewing Point and Bison Sanctuary is a fantastic place to stop and enjoy the beautiful scenery and wide variety of wildlife in the area. Just don’t expect the buffalo to move around frequently or pose for the cameras. Often these animals stay in one spot for long periods of time. Use caution when calves are present in the herd, because this can bring out aggression in the animals if they feel threatened