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Yellowstone officials release captured bison
GARDINER, Mont. (AP)--The 198 bison that were held near the northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park after testing negative for brucellosis were released back into the park April 6, park officials said.
Available forage and the impending birth of calves were among the factors considered, the park said in a statement.
"They thought it was an opportune time to release them, that there were good conditions to release them," spokeswoman Stacy Vallie said.
So far this year, 464 bison have been captured near the park's northern border. Of those, more than 260 bison were sent to slaughter, most after testing positive for brucellosis, the park said.
Some of the younger bison that tested negative for brucellosis also were vaccinated, the park said.
The capture and testing of bison from Yellowstone occurs under a joint state-federal management plan, one goal of which is to reduce the risk of transmission of brucellosis from bison to cattle. The disease can cause cows to abort.
Dan Brister, a spokesman for the Buffalo Field Campaign, called it a "bittersweet day."
"It's definitely a good day for those bison but not such a great time for the Yellowstone herd," he said.
Date: 4/22/04
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