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Yellowstone National Park News Release

BISON CAPTURE OPERATION IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Mar 03, 2003 ~ PR 03-19

Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Suzanne Lewis announced today that bison have continued to migrate near Stephens Creek along the northern boundary of the park and capture operations have begun. Under the final state and federal Records of Decision (ROD) for the Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP) that were signed in December 2000 and the December 2002 IBMP Operating Procedures, when the bison population in late winter, early spring is over 3,000 animals, and they are moving onto lands where cattle are being grazed, they will be captured in the Stephens Creek facility and sent to slaughter facilities. The November population estimate was approximately 3,800. Only about 25 bison have died this year either by management actions west of the park, natural mortality, or motor vehicle accidents.

The IBMP and the IBMP Operating Procedures use a variety of methods along the north and west boundaries of the park to limit the distribution of bison and to maintain separation of bison and cattle on public and private lands. It also allows some bison on certain public lands where cattle are not grazed.

The first response to bison approaching the north boundary is to haze them to keep them inside the park. However, after attempts at hazing the bison become ineffective and unsafe, it may become necessary to begin capturing the animals. Hazing has occurred over the past few weeks on numerous occasions. Hazing will continue when feasible, but capture operations are also expected to continue.

In 1996, inside the park along the northern boundary, a capture and handling facility was constructed to capture bison when it became necessary. The National Park Service is using the Stephens Creek facility to capture bison moving toward adjacent private land where cattle are grazed.

On Monday, March 3, 2003, about 100 bison were captured in the Stephens Creek facility. They will be taken as per the IBMP to slaughter facilities beginning on Tuesday, March 4, 2003 (dependent on weather conditions). Meat, heads and hides will be donated to Native American groups/individuals and other social service organizations.

-NPS-

Information provided by the NPS

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