MASSIVE DOL BISON HAZING OPERATION
DISRUPTS REGION & NEIGHBORHOODS
Helicopter Invades Ecosystem, Infuriates Residents;
Private Property Rights Ignored
Video Footage Available
Upon Request
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Contact: Stephany Seay, Buffalo Field Campaign (406) 646-0070
West Yellowstone, MT - On Monday, the Montana Department of Livestock
(DOL), MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), National
Park Service (NPS) and Gallatin County Sheriffs Department conducted a
major bison hazing operation on private and public lands. Using
horses, ATVs, trucks, and a helicopter, agents harassed members of America's
last wild herd of buffalo and infuriated area residents.
There are no public lands cattle allotments on Horse Butte or along the
Madison River where buffalo commonly migrate in spring. The majority
of the bison hazed yesterday were newborn calves and their mothers, animals
that pose absolutely no risk of transmitting brucellosis. Five bull buffalo--animals
that also pose no risk of transmitting brucellosis--were chased across
private property with a helicopter without prior warning to residents
or respect for the homeowner's private property rights.
The majority of West Yellowstone area residents appreciate the presence
of wild buffalo and post "Buffalo Safe Zone" signs along their property
boundaries to inform the DOL and other agents that bison are welcome and
the agents are not. The DOL frequently ignores the rights of private
property owners.
Dave Martinez, a homeowner in Upper Bear Trap housing area, located less
than a mile from Yellowstone National Park, remarked on yesterday's hazing
operation, "This is getting out of control. We've got kids running
around here and the agents drive their big trucks through looking for
bison, not paying attention to us. I don't need my kids seeing bison
being harassed. It's all totally unnecessary and we're all sick of it."
Governor Schweitzer's office received numerous phone calls from upset
West Yellowstone residents yesterday. Numerous residents were outraged
by the use of the helicopter over their homes, and are growing more impatient
with the DOL's bison harassment activities. When asked why the DOL was
hazing buffalo from private land where they are welcome, Hal Harper, the
Governor's Chief Policy Advisor said, "The agreement, the understanding
we had was that the helicopter would be used for spotting and necessary
hazing."
"Hazing buffalo with a helicopter through neighborhoods and disrespecting
the rights of property owners is hardly necessary," countered BFC's Stephany
Seay, who documented yesterday's operations. "It's a wicked display
of power, a major safety hazard, and a waste of taxpayer money for the
DOL to terrorize wild buffalo moms, newborn calves and the homeowners
who enjoy co-existing with them."
May 15 marks the DOL's "zero tolerance" date for
wild bison outside of Yellowstone National Park, according to the Interagency
Bison Management Plan. Regardless of this politically derived date,
Montana never shows tolerance for wild bison, who are always subject to
hazing, capture, slaughter, quarantine or shooting. Livestock interests
fear wild bison may transmit the cattle-disease brucellosis to
livestock. However, there has never been a confirmed case of a wild
bison transmitting the disease to cattle. Bulls, yearlings, calves
and non-pregnant buffalo pose no risk of transmitting brucellosis, while
pregnant bison pose only a theoretical risk. Elk--animals
also infected with brucellosis--are free to roam Montana and neighboring
states.
"Where are the cows? I don't see any cows
around here," continued local resident Dave Martinez. "I live here
because I love this place, I love the bison, and DOL is pushing people
to their limits."
Nearly 1,000 native wild buffalo have been killed during the 2005-2006
winter under management actions carried out by the Montana Department
of Livestock (59) the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
(40), and the National Park Service (853+). More than 3,400
native wild bison have been killed by the agencies in the past ten years.
The Buffalo Field Campaign is the only group working in the field, every
day, to stop the slaughter of the wild Yellowstone buffalo. Volunteers
defend the buffalo and their native habitat and advocate for their lasting
protection. Daily patrols stand with the buffalo on the ground they choose
to be on and document every move made against them. For more information
visit: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org