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January 8, 2002
Buffalo Field Campaign
P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, Mt. 59758
Phone (406) 646-0070 Fax (406) 646-0071
E-mail buffalo@wildrockies.org   .      http://www.wildrockies.org/buffalo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 8, 2002
Contacts: Peter Leusch, Dan Brister, Mike Mease (406) 646-0070

WILD BISON CAPTURED AT HORSE BUTTE

West Yellowstone, Montana: Five bull bison were captured at the Horse Butte bison trap this morning. Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) agents fired explosive rounds into a Zone I bald eagle closure in an attempt to move bison towards the trap. The closure, designed to protect bald eagle nest sights, is closed to all human activity from December 15th to August 15th. Recreational snowmobilers are regularly ticketed for violating the closed area.

According to BFC spokesperson Peter Leusch, "For some reason, the Gallatin National Forest is allowing DOL to fire explosive rounds into the eagle closure. This activity is very disruptive to the eagles and threatens the viability of their nests. It's the Forest Service's legal obligation to enforce this closure, but when it comes to the DOL they are failing to do so."

DOL agents on snowmobiles hazed 4 bison from the Madison River, about 4 miles to the trap. No cattle use this area which is only one mile west of the Yellowstone boundary and is vital winter habitat for numerous wildlife species.

Horse Butte resident and Wildlife Rehabilitator Sue Donkersgoed said of today's operation, "This is a waste of time and money because there are no cattle around. With four feet of snow on the ground, they are putting the elk, eagles and other wildlife in jeopardy as well as the bison."

DOL has budgeted $1.25 million for bison management this winter. This money comes from the Federal Treasury and is supposedly used to protect cattle at Horse Butte, which bring in about $1000 per year in grazing fees. Leusch stated, "Montana continues to capture and kill these animals because they have no tolerance for bison in the state. The real reason for the slaughter is rooted in a bureaucratic power struggle for control of public lands. The only losers are wildlife, the American public, and the local economy."

BFC volunteers will hold an around the clock vigil for the bison that were captured, many of which will undoubtedly be slaughtered. The vigil will occur near the Duck Creek capture facility where the bison will be transported and spend the night being tested for exposure to brucellosis.

BFC volunteer Anna Boyd said of the vigil, "We find the slaughter of the last wild bison to be deplorable. We will be here working to protect them until they have the right to use the National Forest lands surrounding the park."

Video and still footage available on request.
                                                            -30-

December 20, 2001
The four bull bison caught yesterday (see next item below) were sent to slaughter before dawn  this morning having tested positive for brucellosis even though there is no way they could transmit the disease to domestic cows even if there were any cows in the area at this time of year.  Two other bulls caught earlier were tagged and released in the Horse Butte area.   Buffalo Field Campaigners took comfort in the knowledge that they had helped 16 other buffalo to avoid entering the Department of Livestock's (DOL's) trap.  At the same time, the campaigners mourned the loss of four bison, both as individuals and for the loss of their genetic diversity which is already in short supply.  The Yellowstone herd is the only remaining genetically pure bison herd. 

Bison and other wild animals need to conserve their energy to survive the coming winter.  With snow already deep on the ground, the last thing they need is to be harried by DOL personnel.

December 19, 2001
Buffalo Field Campaign
P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, Mt. 59758
Phone (406) 646-0070 Fax (406) 646-0071
E-mail buffalo@wildrockies.org.
http://www.wildrockies.org/buffalo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 19, 2001
Contacts: Peter Leusch, Mike Mease (406) 646-0070

Buffalo Flag at Half Mast
West Yellowstone, MT: Buffalo Field Campaign volunteers raised a red, white and blue buffalo flag stating, "Spirit of America, Wild and Free" today as Montana Department of Livestock (DOL), National Park Service, and National Forest Service agents captured four bull bison in the Horse Butte capture facility. Two other bison were captured at the Duck Creek facility Tuesday afternoon. Symbolizing a great loss to our nation, the flag was lowered to half mast after the bison were captured.

BFC volunteer Jennifer Schnied er said, "America represents freedom for all beings, including bison. We raised this flag in the hope that someday, freedom will ring for wild bison in Montana."

All of the bison outside of Yellowstone this winter have been bulls. There is no risk that they could transmit brucellosis to cattle, especially considering there are no cattle in the area until June 15th. There has never been a case of brucellosis transmission from bison to cattle in the field and the two have mingled in Grand Teton National Park for over forty years with no problems for Wyoming's cattle industry. (emphasis added)

According to BFC volunteer Jacob Nelson, "The government's action today and the bison management plan in general are not only a waste of taxpayer dollars, but a waste of our precious wildlife resources. These bison pose absolutely no threat to the Montana cattle industry."

Two landowners in the Horse Butte area filed complaints with the Gallatin
County Sheriff claiming that DOL agents trespassed on their private road
during the operation. Also, two snowmobilers in the area were nearly run
down when DOL agents hazed eight bison towards them. "Actions like these
show DOL's complete disregard for anything other than their misguided
mission to rid Montana of wild bison," said Mike Mease of the BFC.

According to BFC spokesperson Peter Leusch, "Operations like today's are
potentially life threatening to other wildlife in the area as well. Elk,
moose, bald eagles and trumpeter swans all rely on the Horse Butte area for
winter habitat. With over three feet of snow on the ground and a long
winter ahead, wildlife need to be left undisturbed to survive."

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. Our daily patrols stand with the buffalo on the ground
they choose to be on and document every move made against them.

Video and still photos available on request.

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