West Yellowstone, MT-This morning , for the fourth time in two weeks, the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) attempted to haze a lone bull buffalo who has been grazing along the south side of the Madison River, in Gallatin National Forest. DOL agents, accompanied by Gallatin County Deputy Sheriff Rob Burns, harassed the bull from their snowmobiles and on snowshoe. Firing cracker barrel rounds from shotguns, the agents chased the buffalo from the meadow where he has been grazing for the past two weeks.

The DOL hazed the bull in circles for six hours. Male bison are considered "low risk" for transmission of brucellosis by the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). APHIS has stated that they will not revoke Montana's brucellosis-free status if the state tolerates bull buffalo up to 60 days prior to the return of cattle. "We don't feel there is a need to kill every bison that comes out of the Park," said APHIS spokesperson Patrick Collins.

Montana's DOL still insists upon hazing and killing the Yellowstone buffalo, even though there are no cattle in the area until June 15. "Today's operation was symbolic of the irony and stupidity of this whole situation. There were five men out there hazing one bull buffalo who can't transmit the disease and poses no threat to Montana's brucellosis free status, all on taxpayer's money," said Peter Leusch, a volunteer who documented this morning's operation from the north side of the Madison River.

Citizens from around Montana will gather tomorrow at 9 am to protest the state's policy of killing and harassing buffalo that migrate from Yellowstone National Park. The rally, being organized by members of the University of Montana's Environmental Action Community (EAC), Cold Mountain, Cold Rivers (CMCR), and the Buffalo Field Campaign (BFC), will be held on the steps of the U.S. District Court in Helena concurrent with the federal hearing.

The event will include a prayer for the buffalo, public speakers, and street theater. Video and Still Photos Available Upon Request

Video footage and still photos available upon request

Top of Page