West Yellowstone, MT- Three bull bison, considered "low risk" by APHIS--the sole agency with the regulatory authority to revoke Montana's "brucellosis-free" status--were captured in a Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) operation on the Gallatin National Forest yesterday. Two of the bison, which the DOL claims to have tested positive for brucellosis, were sent to slaughter early this morning. In its 1998 study, Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the National Academy of Sciences concluded, "The current risk of transmission from YNP (Yellowstone National Park) bison to cattle is low." There has never been a documented transmission of brucellosis from wild bison to livestock.

Even if buffalo were capable of spreading brucellosis, the lack of cattle between mid-October and mid-June make such a transmission impossible. The cattle that stock the summer grazing allotments on Horse Butte are shipped in from Idaho.

"Montana is killing America's last wild buffalo to protect a few Idaho cattle," said BFC spokesperson Dan Brister. All 19 bison killed this winter have been bulls, which are incapable of transmitting brucellosis. APHIS considers bulls "low risk" and says their presence in the state will not jeopardize Montana's brucellosis-free status. The agencies have captured 28 bull bison this winter. The operation began shortly after 8am on Wednesday on the Madison River. Agents from the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, Montana Highway Patrol, the Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and the Gallatin County Sheriff's Department assisted the DOL in hazing two bison from National Forest land into the Horse Butte trap. A lone bull was later captured from the Horse Butte Peninsula.

"These agencies are wasting 2.8 million taxpayer dollars this winter to unnecessarily slaughter America's last wild buffalo," said Brister. "Scientists agree that bull bison can't transmit brucellosis yet the DOL insists on harassing every bull that steps across the park line." Horse Butte provides crucial winter range for Yellowstone wildlife, including moose, elk, deer, coyotes, wolves, eagles and swans.

Buffalo Field Campaign volunteers videotaped two bald eagles being disturbed by the operation as they foraged over the Madison River. Moose and trumpeter swans were also observed being impacted by the operation. The brucellosis test used by the DOL to determine whether to slaughter or release captured animals detects antibodies, not infection. The majority of the bison that test "positive" and are killed don't actually carry brucellosis. The majority of bison that test positive at the capture facility test negative under the more accurate post-slaughter culture test.

The Buffalo Field Campaign is the only group working in the field everyday to stop the bison slaughter. Volunteers defend the buffalo on their native range and advocate for their protection.

Video and Still Photos are Available on Request.

Top of Page