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 as part of the Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP). The IBMP, signed in December 2000, brings together three federal and two state agencies whose goals are to preserve a viable, wild population of Yellowstone bison; reduce the risk of transmission of brucellosis from bison to cattle, maintain the brucellosis class-free status for the state of Montana; and protect human life and/or private property. The agencies involved in IBMP include the U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the State of Montana’s Departments of Livestock and Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Under the IBMP, a variety of methods are used along the north and west boundaries of the park to manage the distribution of bison and to maintain separation of bison and cattle on public and private lands. The IBMP also allows for some bison to remain on certain public lands adjacent to the park where cattle are not grazed.

In the first phase of management, the park hazes bison approaching the north boundary to keep them inside the park and away from cattle grazing adjacent to 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 several weeks on numerous occasions. Hazing will continue when feasible, but capture operations may also continue.

On Monday, March 15, 2004, a group of approximately 120 bison were captured at the Stephens Creek facility. The bison joined a second group of 32 bison (captured on March 14) being held at the facility. The bison will be held and some bison will be tested for exposure to brucellosis. However, once holding capacity has been reached at the facility, all remaining bison will shipped to slaughter without testing. Currently, there are 154 bison that have tested seronegative being held at the facility for release back into the park in the spring; the park estimates an additional 50 bison could be held at the facility. Any bison that test positive for exposure to brucellosis will be transported to slaughter. Meat, heads and hides will be donated to Native American groups/individuals or social services organizations.

For 2004, approximately 457 bison have been captured at the Stephens Creek facility: 154 bison (including 79 that have been vaccinated) that tested seronegative and remain at the Stephens Creek holding facility; 1 adult bull bison that tested seronegative and was released; 145 bison that tested positive for exposure to brucellosis and were transported to slaughter; 7 that were not tested prior to being taken to slaughter; and the approximately 150 bison captured on March 14 and 15 being held at the facility. One (1) adult bull bison has been lethally removed.

An early winter count showed approximately 4,200 bison in the population.

Information provided by the NPS