Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

As the sun breaks over the horizon on another beautiful crisp morning, a new gift has arrived back in our ecosystem. The trumpeter swans grace us once again with their elegant presence. Trumpeters are listed as sensitive under the endangered species act and it is estimated that there are at most 2000 left in the world. Over 500 winter here near West Yellowstone. In previous years, we have watched and video documented a DOL helicopter spook and make over 300 of them relocate. A badger has also been sighted close to one of our patrols and the river otters are once again dancing on the thin ice of Duck Creek Pond. All the animals' coats are growing in thick and the bears are filling their bellies, readying themselves for a long winters slumber.

This week marks the third consecutive week in which the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) has disturbed this perfect picture. On Wednesday three DOL agents chased one bull buffalo six miles back into Yellowstone National Park, disturbing all species in the area. The rest of the day was spent with DOL tearing up the area on ATVs.

The Yellowstone ecosystem is a gift, it has all of the wildlife present that was here when Europeans first arrived on this continent. When a helicopter, ATV, 4 by 4 truck, horse or snowmobile enters an ecosystem it disrupts all creatures in the vicinity, not just the buffalo. This Yellowstone ecosystem does not belong to the state of Montana. It is a gift to be shared by all of us and the responsibility of protecting it for future generations falls upon all of us. As I watch, yet again, the damage unfold, my heart grows heavy.

We the people are the only hope for change, so please voice your outrage and let's all work together to leave this precious gift for the children of all species.

With the Buffalo, Mike Mease

P.S. We are in desperate need of a VCR that records. If anyone has one that they are trying to get rid of please send it our way. Please give us a call or e-mail before you do so that we don't receive more than we can use, thanks. --MM