Dr. Arnold Gertonson, in a news release, hailed the work as a successful defense of the state's cattle industry against brucellosis-infected bison. It said Buffalo Nations volunteers stopped traffic to let the animals cross safely. Gertonson told Bozeman station KCTZ-TV there was no danger and said his workers always make sure everything is safe before moving buffalo across a road. He said the 11 buffalo drifted into Montana because the park does not have enough forage to support the herd at its present size.
Brucellosis causes cattle to abort, and in human beingss causes undulant fever.
About half the Yellowstone buffalo are believed to be infected with the disease. Copyright 1998 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises .