| Yellowstone Bison Slaughter
|
| Press
Release- 11/25/03 |
 |
| |
|
|
| Montana
Department of Livestock Shoots Bull Buffalo
on Yellowstone National Park Boundary
For
Immediate Release: November 25, 2003
Contact: Justine Sanchez (406) 646-0070
|
West
Yellowstone, MT- A lone bull buffalo was shot
by agents of the Montana Department of Livestock at 9:15
this morning as he attempted to return to Yellowstone
National Park.
The bull was hazed toward the Duck Creek Capture Facility
through private property in the Duck Creek housing area.
Agents were unable to capture the buffalo and shot him
from behind as he fled toward the park across land owned
by Dale Koelzer. Yellowstone Park rangers assisted.
Chris Mays witnessed the shooting, "The bull was
less than fifty yards from the park boundary when the
DOL opened fire. It took five shots to finally kill him
and you could see him writhing in pain the whole time.
There is no conceivable reason for them to kill bulls."
Bull buffalo are considered a "low risk" of
transmitting brucellosis, the state's justification for
the slaughter. There has never been a documented case
of wild buffalo transmitting brucellosis to livestock.
Members of Congress took action to protect the Yellowstone
herd earlier this month with the introduction of the Yellowstone
Buffalo Preservation Act (H.R. 3446). The bipartisan
legislation--which would stop the hazing, capture, and
slaughter of Yellowstone buffalo--was introduced by Rep.
Maurice Hinchey (D) and Rep. Charles Bass (R) on November
5.
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.
Yellowstone bison are members of the only herd with continuously
wild ancestry on its native range. The herd is both genetically
and behaviorally unique. Today's kill marks the start
of the DOL's 2003-2004 slaughter season. Montana has killed
more than 3,500 Yellowstone buffalo since 1985.
Video Footage and Interviews Available upon Request.
Buffalo Field Campaign
P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, Mt. 59758
Phone (406) 646-0070 Fax (406) 646-0071
Top
of Page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
