Biologists in Yellowstone National Park recommend that 450 bison be killed this winter in order to “reduce abundance and growth potential,” reported Wyoming’s Star Tribune.
Estimates from 2012 report that Yellowstone has roughly 4,200 bison. These animals are divided into two herds: the central herd that stays primarily near Old Faithful and the Firehole and Madison river drainages, and the northern herd that gathers near the Lamar Valley and Yellowstone River drainage. Currently, the central herd has about 1,600 animals, while the northern herd has 2,600 animals, the most it’s ever had, according to park officials.
Ideally, the park service would like to see each herd have roughly 1,500 bison, with an equal number of males and females.
“Hunting and management removals of approximately 400 bison per year would provide a high certainty of approaching all desired conditions within five years,” reads the Interagency Bison Management Plan statement.
Without thinning the herds this winter, biologists say that there’s a 50 percent chance of bison numbers rising to more than 4,875 entering into the 2014 winter.
Those against the culling strategy argue that bison should be allowed in a larger area, rather than slaughtering the animals. Dan Brister, executive director of the Buffalo Field Campaign, a conservation group, supports enlarging the bisons’ habitat.
“We’d like to see them treat bison more like elk are treated,” he told the Tribune. “There’s a lot of great habitat they’re being excluded from.”
As reported by the Casper Star-Tribune.
And how many acres of land do you have in the Park? And you can’t find some more acrage for a third and fourth herd? What is wrong with the biologists up there. I’m against killing of any of the animals up there unless they are in pain and can’t be saved. If for some reason you just can’t find a way to move some animals, why not offer them free to zoos or ranchers who promise not to slaughter them. Many people in the midwest raise bison just to have them back on the prairie again – offer the animals to them. But I can’t see with all the land that some place can’t be found for them. As a taxpayer, I feel that you are killing MY animals. I love the Park and the bison and other animals are a big part of the experience.
As an aside, spent a week there Oct 2012. Was bummed because we hadn’t seen a bear this trip. But on a rarely used backroad – won’t say which for fear some gun lover will run up there – saw 2 wolves up close. They ran in front of the car, then stopped and looked at us as long as we were still. What beautiful animals!! what a great experience!! I totally forgot to get out my camera, but they probabl
I Agree Find More Space!!! The Park is home for the Bison there is more than enough space for them to survive & live safely inside the park. Now you sound like the gun happy hunters that kill the wolves! The bison should not be killed just because there are too many. At least they aren’t on the endangered list the park should be proud of that. Can’t believe they are even thinking about killing them, think about it, it sounds crazy. Let them roam free in the park. Its true it is our park too & we should be able to decide as to what goes on that affects the animals.
I know that un restricted growth of bison herds can mean greater problems for survival of red dogs and viability in restricted spaces.. However, didn’t we hear all summer that one of the wolf packs was either greatly diminished or eliminated.. Instead of culling the herds, why can’t we divert part of each herd to other lands where wolves are hunting and breeding to strengthen the packs and their survival too..