Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

        After a month of peace and quiet, the DOL, Forest Service, and Park Service have returned to wreak havoc in the Yellowstone ecosystem. In a completely needless operation, the DOL helicopter and snowmobiles captured seven bull bison in the Horse Butte trap on Wednesday (see article for more details). BFC volunteers were able to detour eight other bulls during the operation, keeping them free of the trap.

        In response to their actions, seven of these heros are currently in the human capture facility (jail) in Mammoth, Wyoming, and awaiting arraignment in Federal court. We were also able to film incredible video footage of the havoc, including the displacement of over 300 trumpeter swans, and are sending it out to many different outlets.

        This morning, DOL released five of the bulls after they tested negative for brucellosis. Several of the bulls were noticeably injured and all were traumatized by the incident. Unfortunately, two magnificent bulls have been sent to slaughter. These are the first bison to be killed in Montana in two years. While we mourn their loss, and the incredibly high ecological and monetary costs of this operation, we are thankful that so many were able to escape the slaughter house.

For the Buffalo,

Pete Leusch

Next Week is the Week of Action - If you can make it down - contact us for details, send email to: buffalo@wildrockies.org If you can't be there in person - we will be letting you know what you can do next week.

Thanks to Big Frank, Mike S. and the Boise Co-op for their help this week. Thanks also to Kathleen, Joanne L, The Evergreen AR Network, Taft Fnd and Randall!

What you can do -
Check out how your tax dollars are being wasted.
Bison Fiscal Report 2000

Speak out -
The Forest Service has the authority to put an end to this madness and protect Yellowstone's wildlife contact:
Mike Dombeck, Chief, Forest Service, Auditor's Bldg 201 14th Street, S.W. at Independence Ave., S.W. Washington, DC 20024 phone: 202-205-1661. Send an email to: Mike Dombeck

Contact Montana's new Governor and let her know that you are appalled. The Governor can be reached by calling 406-444-3111; or by writing the State Capitol, Helena, MT, 59620-0801. She will receive e-mail via the online form or care of aburton@state.mt.us