The reason for this disgrace is the fear by Montana cattlemen that Yellowstone bison carry brucellosis, which if passed to cattle, could cause them to abort their calves and force a quarantine on Montana cattle. There are more than 90,000 elk in the Greater Yellowstone Area. Montana makes money from the sale of hunting licenses given for elk hunting. There has never been a documented case of bison or elk infecting cattle with brucellosis in the wild. The brucellosis organism, discharged from bison cows with fetal material, is quickly killed in direct sunlight.
Scavengers also reduce the prevention of infectious tissues.
Bull bison pose virtually no threat of transmission. Please write or call the Governor of Montana, demand that he put a stop to this horrible slaughter, and tell him you won't be visiting Montana until they stop the killing. Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park Mike Finley, Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyo.