Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

After two weeks of respite the capture and slaughter of the Yellowstone buffalo has resumed. The Department of Livestock's intolerance for wild buffalo was exhibited on February 7th in the agency's irrational insistence on capturing every buffalo that enters Montana. In an operation that took place between 8:00 and 11:45 am, agents hazed bison more than five miles into the buffalo trap at Horse Butte. Three bull buffalo were captured. Early this morning two of these beautiful animals were loaded into a livestock trailer and shipped to a slaughterhouse. The third had a numbered aluminum tag attached to his back and had two swaths of thick fur shaven from his shoulders and back. These marks allow DOL agents to determine which bison have already been captured. Of the 29 bull bison targeted by the DOL this winter, eight were marked and released. Twenty were slaughtered. Another was shot in the field without ever being tested for brucellosis. 35 bison have left the park this winter.

The state of Montana rests the burden of blame for the slaughter on brucellosis, a bovine reproductive disease. Although there has never been a documented case of brucellosis being transmitted from wild bison to livestock, the agency insists on harassing and killing bison when they leave the park.

On the west side of the park, where all the killing has taken place since 1997, there are no cattle present during the times of year when bison are outside the park. While elk and other wildlife also carry the disease, only bison are hazed, shot, and slaughtered. There has never been a documented case of wild buffalo passing the disease to livestock.

After the three bulls were captured yesterday we held a vigil at Duck Creek, where they were confined. Volunteers held a "Buffalo Slaughter in Progress" banner by the side of highway 191 and handed out newsletters to interested passersby. At nightfall the vigil was relocated to a spot across the river from the Duck Creek holding pens and prayers, songs, and blessings were given for the confined bison. Volunteers stayed out all night through subfreezing temperatures. At 6:30 this morning two buffalo were loaded into the trailer and sent to the slaughterhouse. The third was released on the Horse Butte Peninsula.

We'd like to thank each of you who reads these updates for your unfailing support. We couldn't make it through these difficult times without your help. Your dedication has been inspirational, helping us to stay strong, well-nourished, and focused on our mission. The response to our call for letters to those responsible for the buffalo slaughter was enormous. Many of you answered our request for volunteers to organize a Day of Action for the Buffalo in your communities on March 23. Thanks to all who have been giving your time to share buffalo stories with your families and friends and to those of you who have supported us in whatever way you can. Thank you John at Two Socks for the radio you sent and your offer of technical assistance. We took the radio out of the box and put it to immediate use on patrol. Thanks to all the others who sent donations for the purchase of new radio equipment. With patrols in constant communication with one another they will be all the more safe and effective. Thank you all for making our work possible. We will be here until the buffalo are protected.

*Week of Action and National Day of Action for the Buffalo

We are organizing our third annual Week of Action for the Yellowstone Buffalo and need your help. This year's Week of Action is scheduled for March 18-24 and will include a variety of workshops, non-violent direct action, and ceremonies. Please come if you can. We are also helping to organize solidarity rallies across the country on March 23. If you are interested in helping to organize the Day of Action in your community, please contact Dan Brister or Pete Leusch by sending e-mail to: bfc-media@wildrockies.org.