Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

GARDINER, MT - Yesterday, Tuesday, March 4, 2003, it was reported that Yellowstone National Park is currently capturing and slaughtering wild bison in the Park near Gardiner. Thank you to all of our many buffalo supporters who have responded with their concerns and interest in contacting the public officials who oversee the ongoing slaughter of the last wild bison. Today we are sending you more information in this weekly update with actions that we encourage you to take.

The reports from Gardiner are of more buffalo being captured and sent to slaughter. Yesterday, the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) shipped 47 buffalo to slaughter. The National Park Service (NPS) captured approximately 60 bison yesterday afternoon, leaving 150 bison in the Stephens Creek trap last night. Today the DOL hauled 86 buffalo to slaughter with a heavy police escort. Park representatives have indicated that they could kill around 300 buffalo this week. There are an additional 30 or more bison in the area near the Stephens Creek trap that could be hazed or captured this week. With 133 buffalo already sent to slaughter and more buffalo awaiting slaughter in the trap, there are already at least 200 wild bison facing slaughter this week.

We were expecting to be granted media access to the buffalo trap this morning, as was indicated by the Park's public affairs officer, Marsha Karle. It was quite a shock when Mike Mease was denied that access, for the reason that he was considered a "security risk." Mike is a videographer, producer and has done freelance work for CNN as well as many other national press sources. Montana courts have ruled in the past that he is considered a media representative. Another videographer was allowed in, but only after authorities ran a background check and frisked him. No other reporters at the trap were subjected to this kind of treatment. The BFC videographer who was allowed entry reports that he documented numerous injuries sustained by buffalo confined in the trap. Wild buffalo often gore each other when trapped in a facility designed for domestic cattle.

The Park Service explains their actions as being required by the Interagency Bison Management Plan. The Plan establishes a population target of 3000 animals, above which buffalo leaving the Park are to be hazed or captured and slaughtered without brucellosis testing. The Park Service has hazed some buffalo further into the Park recently, but has determined that hazing is not an effective solution. It is worth noting that many of the captured buffalo have not left the Park, but have been captured inside Yellowstone as they approach the boundary. It is also worth noting that the genetic viability of the herd is at stake.

Thank you all for your continued concern for the Yellowstone buffalo. We hope you will let the Park Service and Montana's Department of Livestock know your feelings on these recent developments. Only you can speak for these majestic beings. Please contact Yellowstone National Park and the Department of Livestock.

Many readers have already expressed interest in writing, calling, or emailing someone to express their outrage, concern, confusion, and criticism. Of course, when speaking on behalf of the buffalo, it is important to be respectful. We show our strength and commitment by creating a challenging dialogue that cannot be dismissed due to emotion.

Remember that the NPS is capturing the buffalo and the DOL are transporting them to slaughter. Both agencies have a role in the current slaughter.

Contact information for Yellowstone National Park: