West Yellowstone, MT- Buffalo Field Campaign volunteers raised a red, white and blue buffalo flag stating, "Spirit of America, Wild and Free" today as Montana Department of Livestock (DOL), National Park Service, and National Forest Service agents captured four bull bison in the Horse Butte capture facility. Two other bison were captured at the Duck Creek facility Tuesday afternoon.

Symbolizing a great loss to our nation, the flag was lowered to half mast after the bison were captured.

BFC volunteer Jennifer Schnieder said, "America represents freedom for all beings, including bison. We raised this flag in the hope that someday, freedom will ring for wild bison in Montana." All of the bison outside of Yellowstone this winter have been bulls. There is no risk that they could transmit brucellosis to cattle, especially considering there are no cattle in the area until June 15th. There has never been a case of brucellosis transmission from bison to cattle in the field and the two have mingled in Grand Teton National Park for over forty years with no problems for Wyoming's cattle industry.

According to BFC volunteer Jacob Nelson, "The government's action today and the bison management plan in general are not only a waste of taxpayer dollars, but a waste of our precious wildlife resources. These bison pose absolutely no threat to the Montana cattle industry."

Two landowners in the Horse Butte area filed complaints with the Gallatin County Sheriff claiming that DOL agents trespassed on their private road during the operation. Also, two snowmobilers in the area were nearly run down when DOL agents hazed eight bison towards them.

"Actions like these show DOL's complete disregard for anything other than their misguided mission to rid Montana of wild bison," said Mike Mease of the BFC. According to BFC spokesperson Peter Leusch, "Operations like today's are potentially life threatening to other wildlife in the area as well. Elk, moose, bald eagles and trumpeter swans all rely on the Horse Butte area for winter habitat. With over three feet of snow on the ground and a long winter ahead, wildlife need to be left undisturbed to survive."

The Buffalo Field Campaign (BFC) is the only group working in the field, everyday, to stop the slaughter of Yellowstone's wild buffalo. Volunteers defend the buffalo on their traditional winter habitat and advocate for their protection. Our daily patrols stand with the buffalo on the ground they choose to be on and document every move made against them.

Video and still photos available on request.

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