Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
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West Yellowstone, MT - The recent abuse of buffalo by the Montana Department of Livestock gives rise to a growing concern for pregnant buffalo preparing to give birth. One calf who was orphaned when the DOL sent it's mother to slaughter, recently died. This calf struggled for weeks on highway 191. This calf was not alone this winter.

As well as orphaned calves, the Department of Livestock's hazing last week resulted in the deaths of two pregnant females on the butte. Although they escaped the hazing, the subsequent loss of support from their herd made it impossible for them to survive.

Six buffalo died as a direct result of last weeks hazing. The DOL has claimed responsibility for the four that died while in their capture facility, but not for the two that died after being released onto Horse Butte with massive bodily injury from gore wounds incurred in the DOL trap.

"The Department of Livestock is incapable of "managing" the Yellowstone buffalo herd. No animal should be treated this way," said spokesperson Sarah K. Chalmers.

Buffalo choose Horse Butte for a calving ground every year. Their birthing period depends on the weather and availability of food. Horse Butte provides an ideal calving ground. During last years mass hazing operation by the DOL, three females hid in the woods and gave birth to their calves. They spent a little over two weeks recovering from the birth and strengthening the young calves before heading back to the park.

96 buffalo have died as a result of actions taken by the DOL this year. In none of these deaths was there any danger of brucellosis transmission to cattle, as no cattle were present when the animals were taken for slaughter. "The persistence of the DOL in killing all pregnant females makes one wonder if they are actually involved in population control, rather than disease management. The Yellowstone herd is in no need of culling this year. They are in need of space to graze and give birth and survive this winter with new calves to strengthen the herd as they return to the park," Chalmers said.

Two females have already calved on Horse Butte this week. Volunteers for Buffalo Field Campaign have witnessed these births and realize the need to keep their distance. "We will protect these new lives from the assault of the Department of Livestock to the best of our ability. These mothers should be able to birth in peace without being hazed and later dying at a slaughterhouse, days from giving birth," stated Buffalo Field Campaign volunteer Kelly Needs.

Fears that cattle may transact brucellosis from the fetal matter left by buffalo is unfounded as the brucella organism is only active for a few hours once exposed to sunlight. Cattle do not return to Horse Butte until mid-June. Harassment of buffalo on Horse Butte is unnecessary if the goal of the DOL is to keep Montana cattle brucellosis-free. The cattle being brought to Horse Butte in June are from Idaho and must be vaccinated before crossing the state line. "The brucellosis scare is a ruse. Not to protect cattle, but to eliminate buffalo from coveted grass lands," spokesperson John Reese stated.

Sarah K. Chalmers & Kelly Needs can be contacted by way of the following phone number. (406) 646-0070

**BFC Note: We have posted new video clips for an "in the field" look at the buffalo and their plight with the Montana Department of Livestock Please stop by and see it! URL: http://www.wildrockies.org/buffalo

Please take 20 seconds and add your voice to those who speak FOR THE BUFFALO! Petition URL: http://www.wildrockies.org/buffpet Please pass this URL on to 94 friends,family and groups around the web in honor of the 94 buffalo have been slaughtered this year! Can we stand by and do nothing?