Tribes seek larger role in Yellowstone bison management

Wednesday, May 18, 2011  

Tribal leaders met with federal officials on Tuesday to discuss bison management in Yellowstone National Park.

The Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the Intertribal Buffalo Council said the government has failed to consult them in the past. They asked for a written consultation policy, which the agencies agreed to develop, The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported.

The bison in the park are the descendants of the last free-roaming herd in the U.S. A federal management plan allows the state of Montana to slaughter bison that leave the park out of fear of transmitting brucellosis, a deadly disease, to cows.

Get the Story:
Agencies, tribes hash out bison management at Bozeman meeting (The Bozeman Daily Chronicle 5/18)