05/08/08 Bison blues II

Yesterday I told you about a problem and controversy caused by buffalo roaming outside Yellowstone Park. I'm Jeff Keane; today I'll add some details and thoughts. When bison move out of Yellowstone National Park, they pose a threat of spreading brucellosis to domestic cattle herds, which can cause abortions in cows. Federal and state agencies were directed to secure more land outside the park for the buffalo but that didn't get completed. To keep the bison from mingling with area cow herds federal and state agencies have removed or killed 1,400 of them since February. Representatives Nick Rahall and Maurice Hinchey of West Virginia and New York called for an investigation of the matter and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a group that wants more bison habitat outside the park is putting their unrequested two cents into the mix. Maybe this group should be more concerned about eradicating the disease problem in the bison herd so they wouldn't be a threat if they graze with cattle. Sounds like they would like to have more private land purchased so they can watch the buffalo roam. If that's what this group wants, maybe they should contact ranchers who run buffalo and pay for a guided bison viewing tour. Ranchers don't mind a little added income, but they do get a little touchy about having to sell land. The Yellowstone buffalo migrate out of the park looking for more grazing. Possibly the herd size should be regulated to the amount of grazing in the park, which might solve part of the problem before it starts. I'm Jeff Keane. Western Livestock Reporter 4/9/08