Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Suzanne Lewis announced today that bison continue to move near Stephens Creek along the northern boundary of the park (and in some cases, north of the park boundary), and hazing and capture operations continue as part of the Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP). The IBMP, signed in December 2000, brings together three federal and two state agencies whose goals are to preserve a viable, wild population of Yellowstone bison; reduce the risk of transmission of brucellosis from bison to cattle, maintain the brucellosis class-free status for the state of Montana; and protect human life and/or private property. The agencies involved in IBMP include the U.S. Department of Interior's National Park Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the State of Montana's Departments of Livestock and Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Under the IBMP, a variety of methods are used along the north and west boundaries of the park to manage the distribution of bison and to maintain separation of bison and cattle on public and private lands. The IBMP also allows for some bison to remain on certain public lands adjacent to the park where cattle are not grazed.

In the first phase of management, the park hazes bison approaching the north boundary to keep them inside the park and away from cattle grazing adjacent to the park. However, after attempts at hazing the bison become ineffective and unsafe, it may become necessary to begin capturing the animals. Animal behavior coupled with employee safety while hazing are the main criteria in determining when bison can or can no longer be hazed. Over the past several weeks, hazing has been occurring on an almost daily basis. Hazing will continue when feasible, but capture operations may also continue.

On Wednesday, March 17, 2004, fifty-eight (58) of the approximately 150 bison captured on March 14 and 15 were tested for exposure to brucellosis. Twenty-four (24) bison tested negative for exposure to brucellosis and are being temporarily held at the Stephens Creek facility for release back into the park in the spring. As called for in the IBMP, 20 bison (yearlings and calves) were vaccinated as part of a long-term brucellosis vaccination program. The remaining 34 bison tested positive for exposure to brucellosis and have been transported to slaughter. Meat, heads, and hides will be donated to Native American groups/individuals or social services organizations.

Currently, there are 198 bison that have tested negative for exposure to brucellosis and are being held at the Stephens Creek facility for release back into the park in the spring. Holding capacity has been reached at the facility and the remaining bison (approximately 42) captured on March 14 and 15 being held at the facility will be shipped to slaughter without testing.

For 2004, approximately 457 bison have been captured at the Stephens Creek facility: 198 bison (including 113 that have been vaccinated) that tested seronegative and remain at the Stephens Creek holding facility; 1 adult bull bison that tested seronegative and was released; 209 bison that tested positive for exposure to brucellosis and were transported to slaughter; 7 that were not tested prior to being taken to slaughter; and the approximately 42 bison captured on March 14 and 15 being held at the facility and will be taken to slaughter. One (1) adult bull bison has been lethally removed.

Information provided by the NPS