Colo., SD Eyed For Yellowstone Bison
by Associated Press
December 14, 2011 11:24 AM
The federal government is considering moving bison captured outside Yellowstone National Park to public lands in Colorado, South Dakota and elsewhere in part to prevent an annual slaughter of the animals.
However, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer says he wants the animals to remain in Montana and would block any attempt to move them.
In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar told Schweitzer Tuesday his agency is looking at multiple options for moving Yellowstone bison, including to Badlands National Park on South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.
Many of Yellowstone's 3,700 bison have been exposed to the disease brucellosis, yet the animals remain prized for their pure genetics. Cattle ranchers say bison can spread the disease to livestock.
