Bison in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Beatlesnature via Wikimedia Commons

Thousands of bison will be removed or killed at Yellowstone National Park over the next couple of years as officials develop new management plans, the Associated Press reports.

This winter alone, between 600 to 900 of the animals will be killed during tribal and public hunts that occur outside of park boundaries. Some also will be captured and sent to tribes for their use.

The practice will continue for at least two more winters, the AP said. Federal, tribal and state officials are working on a new Interagency Bison Management Plan that could offer more options besides slaughter.

"Despite the fact that bison are an iconic symbol of the United States and North America once had 30 to 60 million of them, our society has said there is no place we’re willing to accept them," Yellowstone superintendent Dan Wenk told the AP.

Tribes in Montana have been willing to accept live bison from Yellowstone. But ranchers, farmers and politicians have effectively blocked such moves due to concerns about the cattle industry and their property.

Get the Story:
Yellowstone chief: bison slaughters to continue for now (AP 1/12)

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