| West
Yellowstone, MT- While a Montana Department
of Livestock (MDOL) helicopter chased bison towards
the Horse Butte capture facility in the Gallatin National
Forest, 11 people participated in a peaceful march which
intercepted the hazing along the Madison River.
The
helicopter was accompanied on the ground by seven state
and federal agents on snowmobiles in an attempt to capture
three animals considered "low-risk" for transmitting
brucellosis by the federal regulatory agency APHIS.
One bull was captured just before 1:00pm, while two
remained on the river after evading the snowmobiles
and helicopter. Two people participating in the march
were arrested near the Horse Butte snowmobile trail
6697.
The
marchers were ordered off of the trail and complied
with the order, but were arrested anyway.
"These arrests show the government has as little regard
for citizens' right to use public lands as they do for
the bison," said BFC spokesperson Peter Leusch of the
arrests.
The
Gallatin Forest Plan dictates that the Madison River
arm is to be managed to "maintain and/or enhance big
game habitat" and that "recreation activities may be
restricted to reduce stress on big game." The plan also
states that "motorized vehicle use will not be permitted
during the period December 1 through May 1, except on
designated routes," p. III-44.
Snowmobiles
were consistently used off of groomed trails along the
tributaries and riparian areas of the Madison River
during today's operation. The helicopter flew just above
the Madison River for over two hours and at one point
during the operation touched down in a meadow adjacent
to the river.
"Law
enforcement agents blatantly disregard the Forest Service
mandates each time they haze and capture bison. They
stray even further from the stated priorities by seriously
disturbing all wildlife, including elk and moose, with
the excessive use of the helicopter in sensitive areas,"
stated BFC spokesperson Summer Nelson.
Today's
operation is part of the Yellowstone Bison Management
Plan that costs American taxpayer's about $2.5 million
per year. The plan calls for first hazing bison back
into Yellowstone.
No
attempt has been made to haze these bison back to the
park. According to Leusch, "These agencies are wasting
our money and our wildlife for no good reason. Cattle
don't even use the area where the bison were grazing."
The
Buffalo Field Campaign (BFC) is the only group working
in the field, everyday, to stop the slaughter of Yellowstone's
wild buffalo.
Video and still photos available.
Top
of Page |
