West Yellowstone, MT - The Montana Department of Livestock sent 45 buffalo to slaughter yesterday, bringing the total sent to slaughter this year to 90. The Department of Livestock captured 69 buffalo at Horse Butte and transported them to the Duck Creek Capture facility where they were put in with 2 others already captured.

As a result of DOL operations Wednesday and yesterday 4 buffalo died before reaching the slaughterhouse, which brings the total to 49 buffalo killed this week. Buffalo Field Campaign volunteers monitored the hazing, capture and transport of buffalo from West Yellowstone.

Volunteers were able to document injuries sustained by the buffalo during capture and transport. These injuries included large gore wounds from the horns of other captured buffalo and large patches of skin missing from their hind quarters and heads. "The buffalo that make it to Horse Butte at the end of the winter would be able to survive, if not for the tortuous hazing tactics of the DOL.

Many calves have lost their mothers to the DOL and have not been able to get food for themselves. These displaced calves now live on the side of highway 191 alone. I have seen first hand the gores and injuries and it is amazing more did not die. When 71 buffalo are crammed into a tiny capture facility injuries and death will always occur," spokesperson Michael S. Mease said.

A new development this year is that the Gallatin National Forest has the ability to prevent more slaughter by imposing a requirement that cattle be kept from public lands outside of West Yellowstone until 30-60 days after the last bison has left the area. This is a reversal of the previous management policy allowing the DOL to haze and kill buffalo from Horse Butte in that period.

"Why does the DOL persist in going against all science, sense and compassion, in order to fulfill their sick belief that success is to be measured by how many wild buffalo they can kill in one year?" asked Sarah K. Chalmers, Buffalo Field Campaign spokesperson. "There would be no loss of face for them to end it now, and if they don't, the Forest Service should do its job by upholding the laws laid down for the use of public lands." Chalmers said.

Activist Remains in Jail Jeremy O'Day, arrested Wednesday for obstructing a police officer and resisting arrest, has refused to pay bond or adhere to restrictions, sits in the Bozeman jail awaiting release. O'Day pled not guilty to all charges. "It's ironic that the DOL can kill 4 buffalo in their trap and pay no consequences, while I sit in jail for trying to document these atrocities," O'Day stated.

"The brucellosis-free status of Montana is not threatened, however the future of our last wild free roaming buffalo herd is," Chalmers said.

Video Footage Available upon Request.

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