The buffalo would be kept inside, by hazing if possible - by shooting, or capture and slaughter, if necessary. Bison that wander outside Yellowstone's protective boundaries may be slaughtered. In December, the federal government asked the courts to dissolve a Memorandum of Understanding that binds the federal government and Montana in creating a joint management plan. Instead, U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell of Helena ordered the parties to participate in mediation talks. A hearing of the concerned agencies was held February 4, and environmentalists showed up to protest the management plans outside Helena s Federal Building.
Wild buffalo hold a special place in the American public's hearts and heritage.
They need room to roam outside Yellowstone Park on Federal lands to survive. The federal government obviously is attempting to distance themselves from Montana Governor Marc Racicot. Yellowstone's elk also carry brucellosis Mike Mease of the Buffalo Field Campaign said the fear of brucellosis transmitting from buffalo to cattle is a smoke screen that the government hides behind. Most experts agree that brucellosis can only be transferred through amniotic fluid or aborted fetal tissue, yet many of the animals that are being hazed or slaughtered are male, non-pregnant females, or females too young to become pregnant. Cold Mountain, Cold Rivers executive director, Darrell Geist reiterated that taxpayers continue to foot the bill for the federal government's failure to phase out cattle grazing allotments on winter range for buffalo and other native wildlife.