| Yellowstone Bison Slaughter
|
| Press
Release- 1/08/02 |
 |
| |
|
|
| WILD
BISON CAPTURED AT HORSE BUTTE
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 8, 2002
Contacts: Peter Leusch, Dan Brister, Mike Mease (406)
646-0070
|
West
Yellowstone, Montana: Five bull bison were captured
at the Horse Butte bison trap this morning. Montana Department
of Livestock (DOL) agents fired explosive rounds into
a Zone I bald eagle closure in an attempt to move bison
towards the trap. The closure, designed to protect bald
eagle nest sights, is closed to all human activity from
December 15th to August 15th.
Recreational
snowmobilers are regularly ticketed for violating the
closed area. According to BFC spokesperson Peter Leusch,
"For some reason, the Gallatin National Forest is allowing
DOL to fire explosive rounds into the eagle closure. This
activity is very disruptive to the eagles and threatens
the viability of their nests. It's the Forest Service's
legal obligation to enforce this closure, but when it
comes to the DOL they are failing to do so."
DOL agents on snowmobiles hazed 4 bison from the Madison
River, about 4 miles to the trap. No cattle use this area
which is only one mile west of the Yellowstone boundary
and is vital winter habitat for numerous wildlife species.
Horse Butte resident and Wildlife Rehabilitator Sue Donkersgoed
said of today's operation, "This is a waste of time and
money because there are no cattle around.
With four feet of snow on the ground, they are putting
the elk, eagles and other wildlife in jeopardy as well
as the bison." DOL has budgeted $1.25 million for bison
management this winter. This money comes from the Federal
Treasury and is supposedly used to protect cattle at Horse
Butte, which bring in about $1000 per year in grazing
fees. Leusch stated, "Montana continues to capture and
kill these animals because they have no tolerance for
bison in the state. The real reason for the slaughter
is rooted in a bureaucratic power struggle for control
of public lands. The only losers are wildlife, the American
public, and the local economy."
BFC volunteers will hold an around the clock vigil for
the bison that were captured, many of which will undoubtedly
be slaughtered. The vigil will occur near the Duck Creek
capture facility where the bison will be transported and
spend the night being tested for exposure to brucellosis.
BFC volunteer Anna Boyd said of the vigil, "We find the
slaughter of the last wild bison to be deplorable. We
will be here working to protect them until they have the
right to use the National Forest lands surrounding the
park."
Video and still footage available on request.
Note:
All six buffalo were sent to slaugter 1/9/02
Top
of Page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
