| Yellowstone Bison Slaughter
|
| Press
Release- 2/04/04 |
 |
| |
|
|
MT
Department of Livestock Erects Trap for Yellowstone
Buffalo--
Threatening Wildlife on Gallatin National Forest
For Immediate Release: February 4, 2004
Contacts: Ted Fellman (406) 646-0070; Dan Brister
(406) 726-5555 |
|
West
Yellowstone, MT -- The Montana Department
of Livestock (DOL) began construction of the Horse
Butte buffalo trap on the Gallatin National Forest
this morning. The trap will be used to capture
and slaughter Yellowstone buffalo, members of the
only herd in America with continuously wild ancestry.
The State of Montana has slaughtered more than 3,500
Yellowstone buffalo since 1985.
The last time the Horse Butte trap was used, on
April 29, 2002, the DOL captured 69 buffalo and
sent them all to slaughter without testing a single
one for brucellosis, the supposed reason for the
slaughter. There has never been a documented
case of brucellosis transmission from wild buffalo
to livestock and since the grazing allotment was
retired in 2003 there have been no cattle on the
Horse Butte Peninsula.
Horse Butte is an ecologically rich area on the
Gallatin National Forest comprised of approximately
15 square miles or 10,000 acres of world-class wildlife
habitat. Much of the land is owned by the
public (Gallatin National Forest) and provides crucial
habitat for Yellowstone's wild bison herds and a
number of sensitive species including the bald eagle,
gray wolf, trumpeter swan, peregrine falcon, grizzly
bear, wolverine, lynx, and boreal owl. All
species are negatively impacted by buffalo hazing
and capture operations.
Despite language in the Forest Service's Operating
Plan stating that the "USFS strongly recommends
the capture facility be installed before Feb. 1,"
to protect bald eagles, the DOL didn't initiate
installation until February 4.
The Buffalo Field Campaign (BFC) has documented
violations of the Endangered Species Act associated
with the buffalo trap, located within a Bald Eagle
Management Zone. The BFC, Cold Mountain Cold
Rivers, and The Ecology Center have brought suit
against the federal agencies permitting the trap
and an appeal in the case will be heard in the 9th
Circuit Court of Appeals on 3/ 1.
"It is very unfortunate that the state would
put the facility up with this case pending,"
said Jim Coefield of The Ecology Center. "Today's
actions reveal the agencies' disdain for the legal
process."
"The two symbols of America--the bald eagle
and buffalo-and the entire Yellowstone ecosystem
are being abused by our government, and we will
not stand by and watch as they destroy our public
lands in the name of cattle that haven't even been
here in over two years," stated Mike Mease
of the BFC.
"The trap is located on public land belonging
to all Americans," said the BFC's Dan Brister.
"The majority of residents on Horse Butte enjoy
the presence of free-roaming buffalo and are opposed
to this trap."
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. Daily patrols
stand with the buffalo on the ground they choose
to be on and document every move made against them. |
Top
of Page
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
