Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

West Yellowstone, MT - A Department of Livestock (DOL) helicopter flew low over the Horse Butte area today and hazed two bull bison into the capture facility there. The bison are bulls and considered a "low risk" for brucellosis transmission. Eight agents from the DOL, Gallatin National Forest, and Yellowstone National Park assisted on snowmobiles. Officers from the Gallatin County Sheriff, National Park Service and USFS also assisted in patrol cars.

BFC spokesperson Peter Leusch characterized the operation as, "Another huge waste of taxpayer dollars to capture bison that are unable to transmit brucellosis, especially since there are no cows in the area in the winter."

Several homeowners in the Yellowstone Village subdivision on the north side of Horse Butte filed complaints with the Gallatin County Sheriff's office and FAA in Helena concerning the helicopter. This is the second week in a row that the DOL's helicopter has flown low over the subdivision to haze bison. One of the complainants, Horse Butte resident and Wildlife Rehabilitator Sue Donkersgoed said, "The helicopter disturbed our animals and our neighbors, as well as the wildlife in the area. It's just preposterous that they are flying that thing over a residential area."

The helicopter also flew over the Madison River just west of Yellowstone. Many wildlife species including elk, moose, bald eagles, trumpeter swans and wolves rely on this area for winter survival. Disturbances such as today's are life threatening to all wildlife in winter.

Twenty-two bulls have been captured this winter with sixteen of those slaughtered after testing positive for exposure to brucellosis. The field test has been proven to be highly inaccurate though, as culture tests show only 15% of bison slaughtered in the past actually have brucellosis.

According to recent genetic studies, management strategies that do not take sex ratios into account can lead to decreased levels of genetic variation, inbreeding and numerous other problems. Because bison herds are generally led by the older members of the group, removal of older bulls-like those captured this week-can negatively impact social structure and social bonds and have permanent harmful effects on the population.

Peter Leusch said, "This management strategy is obviously threatening the long-term survival of the Yellowstone bison. They are a national treasure and the only genetically pure descendants of over 60 million bison that once roamed this continent. Our government seems intent on destroying these bison, even though the first stated goal of their management plan is to preserve a healthy, free-roaming bison herd."

The Buffalo Field Campaign volunteers defend the buffalo on their native range and advocate for their protection. Video Available on Request and Still Photos Viewable on the BFC web site.

For more information or to comment contact, Peter Leusch, Mike Mease, and/or Dan Brister by phone: 406-646-0070.

If you are outraged by the needless slaughter of the last, Wild Bison, please call or write Governor Martz and DOL Director Mark Bridges and tell them how you feel:

Governor Judy Martz
State Capitol
Helena, MT 59620
Phone from MT: 1-800-332-2272
Out of state: 406-444-4151

Marc Bridges, Director
Montana Department of Livestock
Box 202201
Helena, Montana 59620
Phone from MT: 1-800-523-3162 (ext.3)
Out of state: 406 444-2043

Another way to help out is to write a letter to the editor to your local/regional paper. Here is an example from this week's Bozeman Chronicle:

Dear Editor and fellow readers,

        I was skiing along the Madison river just west of Yellowstone National Park on January 8th and9th. I witnessed the Interagency Bison Management Plan in action. What an appalling scene! Seven snowmobiles scared bison across the river, through deep snow 4 to 5 miles to the Horse Butte capture facility. The next day a helicopter hazed more bison down the Madison to the same facility. Several others were hazed and captured from the Horse Butte area on those same two days. Unless you have been here and witnessed the Department Of Livestock in such an operation you can't fully grasp what goes on and the impact it has on this beautiful place and all the wildlife who live here. I encourage people to come see this for themselves.

        The DOL say they are doing this because of brucellosis. Those who believe this have been buffaloed. There is no proof that wild bison have ever transferred brucellosis to domestic cattle or pose any real threat of doing so. The test used to determine which animals get sent to slaughter tests for antibodies that are associated with resistance to the disease. They are killing immune animals on the basis of proving past exposure. This is no way to get rid of a disease, but it is likely to destroy the herd eventually. The real reason they are killing America's last wild bison has more to do with grazing allotments on public lands. Montanans, Americans, we need to stop this terrorizing of wildlife. If you come see for yourselves you may agree with me that the DOL should be ashamed of what they do. And they do it with literally millions of your tax dollars. Stop the slaughter.

Brian Lawson
P.O. 957 West Yellowstone, Mt. 59758
Phone: 406-646-0070

BFC is the only group in the field 365 days a year with the last free roaming buffalo. Donations are tax deductible and go directly to front lines work. BFC is the only group in the field 365 days a year with the last free roaming buffalo.