But tribal recommendations for humane and viable solutions have been virtually ignored. Native peoples have been excluded from the decision making process, our knowledge and concerns marginalized. The Yellowstone herd, as survivors of past massacres, is genetically the strongest of buffalo and the wellspring for the recovery of this animal. The large scale and repeated destruction of this herd represents a threat to the long term viability of buffalo populations in North America, the tribal letter states. It is ecological folly, and for those of us who have learned to face history, a painful reminder of past, unnecessary violence in America.
Wild buffalo hold a special place inside the American public's hearts and heritage.
They need room to roam outside Yellowstone Park on federal lands to survive. Many environmentalists maintain that the government is using the brucellosis issue to obscure the real objective of the plan, which they say is to control the bison population for the benefit of cattle ranchers. Critics of the plan are quick to point out that there has never been a documented case of brucellosis being transmitted from bison to cattle in the wild. Critics also note that none of Yellowstone's 100,000 or so elk have been subjected to programs of hazing, quarantine or shooting carried out against the buffalo - even though many of the elk also carry the disease. They continually attempt to confuse the public about brucellosis in order to control the buffalo's population and public lands surrounding the park.