Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
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West Yellowstone, MT - A lone bull buffalo that had been foraging on Gallatin National Forest land on the Horse Butte Peninsula for weeks was shot and killed this morning by the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL). Ten government agents, including representatives of the MDOL, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the Gallatin County Sheriff's department and the US Forest Service, were involved in the operation. The buffalo was killed under the Interagency Bison Management Plan, which aims to reduce the risk of brucellosis transmission from bison to cattle. There has never been a documented case of such transmission in the wild.

"Bison are allowed to roam free on the Gallatin National Forest, where brucellosis is not an issue," said Rebecca Heath, Forest Supervisor for Gallatin National Forest, "There is currently not an active cattle allotment in the Horse Butte area (near West Yellowstone)." Cattle have not grazed on public lands on the Horse Butte Peninsula for over a year. Bull bison are considered to pose a "low risk" of brucellosis transmission by the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

"While recent news reports indicate that the state of Montana will have at least a $20 million budget shortage, it is absurd that the DOL wastes over $1 million per year to haze, capture and kill buffalo which pose no threat to cattle," said Chris Rota, a Buffalo Field Campaign (BFC) coordinator. The Bison Management Plan has a $45 million budget for 15 years. "Education and social programs in this state are grossly under-funded, yet there seem to be limitless funds for the slaughter of bison on our public lands," said BFC volunteer Estee Fleming, "We prioritize the livestock industry over the future of our children and the health of this ecosystem."

The Buffalo Field Campaign (BFC) is the only group working in the field, everyday, to stop the slaughter of Yellowstone's wild buffalo. Volunteers defend the buffalo on their traditional winter habitat and advocate for their protection. Daily patrols stand with the buffalo on the ground they choose to be on and document every move made against them.

Video footage available upon request.