126 CONSERVATION OF CANADIAN WILD LIFE 



tection. Accompanied by Ernest Thompson Seton and E. 

 A. Preble, he visited the region west and southwest in June 

 and July, 1907. In the region of Upper Salt River one herd 

 of thirteen bison was seen, and a second herd of four bulls, 

 one yearling, four little calves, three two-year-olds, and 

 eight cows was observed a few miles further on. Mr. 

 Seton photographed the first herd and one of his photographs 

 is reproduced in his ''The Arctic Prairies." In summing 

 up the results of his investigation Inspector Jarvis, after re- 

 marking that it would take from two to three months to 

 make a complete investigation, gives the following conclu- 

 sions: ''That the buffalo are in danger of extermination not 

 by wolves but by poachers. These poachers are all known 

 and live at the village of Smith Landing in the summer time. 

 They could easily be controlled by a local poUce patrol; 

 without some protection the buffalo will not last five years 

 longer. Therefore, I strongly recommend, as I did some 

 time ago, that if it is the wish of the government to pro- 

 tect the buffalo, resident guardians be placed on the 

 grounds." * 



Inspector Jarvis further states: "In conclusion I would 

 point out that the range of the buffalo herds is very limited; 

 that it has certain natural boundaries; that the buffalo do 

 not attempt to leave this area; that it is removed from any 

 village or permanent habitation and that finally, it would 

 be an efficient and easy measure of protection if the whole area 

 in question were at once turned into a National Park. Animal 

 life was not abundant. We saw no big game whatever and 

 few signs of moose or bear." 



As a result of Major Jarvis's report the buffalo were pro- 

 tected more stringently. A system of occasional patrols 

 by selected non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal 



* For a detailed account of Inspector Jarvis's investigation the reader 

 should consult the Annual Report Royal North West Mounted PoUce for 1907, 

 pp. 122-129, 1909. 



