The operator of a bird sanctuary in eastern P.E.I. is suggesting he could step forward to save Buffalo Land Provincial Park.

The park is costing the province $11,000 to $40,000 a year to operate, and it is looking to unload it. The park is home to a herd of 25 buffalo, a gift to the Island from the province of Alberta in 1973.

Charlie Moore runs the nearby Harvey Moore Wildlife Management Area, a bird sanctuary that includes walking trails through wetlands that are home to Canada geese, blue geese, and black ducks.

Moore is suggesting the two parks together could be a major ecotourism destination in Kings County.

"It gives you a bigger variety of wildlife," he said.

"You have the geese and ducks at the sanctuary, plus the buffalo across the road, so it's a perfect marriage."

The Harvey Moore Wildlife Management Area is home to ducks and geese. (CBC)

The province is currently in negotiations with a potential buyer, so it is not possible at this time for Moore to make a formal pitch.

Jonathon Tsamantanis of the Save our Buffalo committee believes that, properly managed, the park could do a better job of paying for itself.

"Basically a revenue from the meat sale of buffalo that are needed to be extracted from the herd," said Tsamantanis.

NDP Leader Mike Redmond said the park is inexpensive to run, and properly promoted could be an important attraction.

"Twelve thousand dollars for a buffalo park is peanuts in the fiscal restraints that we face today," said Redmond.

"I think if they just take time to pause and reflect, it's something that's worthwhile keeping in our community."

No matter whose hands Buffalo land ends up in, Tsamantanis said Save Our Bufflo will act as a watchdog over the park's operation.

For mobile device users: Can a combination bird sanctuary/buffalo park make a successful tourist attraction?