| Yellowstone Bison Slaughter
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| News
Article 11/21/05 |
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THE
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES URGES GOVERNOR SCHWEITZER
TO CANCEL BUFFALO HUNT
“IT’S NOT HUNTING. IT’S SHOOTING FISH
IN A BARREL.” |
WASHINGTON (November 21, 2005) -- The Humane Society of
the United States, the nation’s largest and most
active humane organization, has called on Montana Governor
Brian Schweitzer to call off the state’s first buffalo
hunt in 15 years. Fifty permits were issued for the hunt,
which began on November 15, and is scheduled to continue
through February 15, 2006.
Limited to buffalo who leave neighboring Yellowstone National
Park, a buffalo refuge, in search of food, the Montana
hunt is targeting animals who make no effort to flee when
hunters approach. As reporter Rick Tosches of the Denver
Post described the scene, “The buffalo, conditioned
by years of protection inside the park, and quite familiar
with people, don’t run or even walk, from the hunters.”
(“Hunt gives buffalo reason to roam,” 11-20).
“We urge Governor Schweitzer to call off this slaughter
now,” said Heidi Prescott, senior vice president
for campaigns at The Humane Society of the United States.
“This isn’t a hunt, it’s the wild west
equivalent of shooting fish in a barrel. If you can hit
a parked car at twenty paces, you can kill one of these
tame buffalo, guaranteed.”
The Buffalo Field Campaign is documenting the hunt in
an effort to have it called off. Referring to video footage
posted on BFC’s website that shows a wounded and
struggling buffalo with other members of his herd gathered
around him, Prescott said, “Even when this animal
had been wounded and was lying in agony on the ground,
several others gathered around to try to help him, ignoring
the danger to themselves. It’s heartbreaking to
watch the video as hunters throw rocks at them to drive
them away from their dying friend.”
According to reports from the scene, it took 24 minutes
and four shots before death ended the buffalo’s
suffering.
According to Prescott, Montana’s claim that the
hunt is needed to protect cattle from contracting brucellosis
is just a smokescreen for trophy hunting. “There
has never been a documented case of brucellosis being
transmitted from bison to cattle on the open range. The
only live animals who could conceivably present any risk
of contagion, however remote, are newborn calves and females.
And yet the Montana Department of Livestock authorized
the hunt for both genders.”
As of November 21, four buffalos had been killed, at least
two of whom were males.
“If Montana were genuinely concerned about brucellosis,
they would require that cattle be vaccinated against it.
That would be a lot more effective than shooting fifty
buffaloes over a three month period,” said Prescott.
The only cattle for whom Montana requires brucellosis
vaccination are females who are imported into Montana
from other states.
The Buffalo Field Campaign video can be viewed at: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's
largest animal protection organization representing more
than 9.4 million members and constituents. The non-profit
organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active
programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster
preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection,
animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS
protects all animals through education, investigation,
litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The
group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives
across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.
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CONTACT: Tracey McIntire, 301-548-7793, tmcintire@hsus.org.
The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
www.hsus.org
Promoting the Protection of All Animals
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