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 Thursday, March 18, 2004, 33 of the 34 bison that tested positive for exposure to brucellosis on March 17 were shipped to slaughter; the 34th bison died in the facility while awaiting transport. The cause of the death is under investigation. The remaining 50 bison that were captured on March 14 and 15 will be transported to slaughter tomorrow. Meat, heads, and hides will be donated to Native American groups/individuals or social services organizations.

For 2004, 464 bison have been captured at the Stephens Creek facility: 198 bison that tested seronegative and remain at the Stephens Creek holding facility; 1 adult bull bison that tested seronegative and was released; 207 bison that tested positive for exposure to brucellosis and were transported to slaughter; 1 bison that died while awaiting transport to slaughter; 7 that were not tested prior to being taken to slaughter; and the 50 bison captured on March 14 and 15 being held at the facility to be taken to slaughter. One (1) adult bull bison has been lethally removed.

Information provided by the NPS