bison

A symbol of the West and vital sustenance for Native Americans who lived on the western Plains, the bison was hunted to near extinction 100 years ago. Today, Colorado lawmakers passed protections for the few wild animals that wander into the state.

Stephany Seay writes, "Gianforte’s lawsuit doesn’t represent Montanans, but rather Montana livestock interests. The vast majority of Montanans want wild, migratory buffalo restored in our state."

Scott Christensen writes, "The reality is that Yellowstone and its bison are a significant part of what drives Montana’s tourism economy, not to mention the tremendous cultural and ecological value they hold for all Americans."

Stephany Seay writes, "Yellowstone National Park recently announced that they intend to remove — mostly kill — nearly 1,400 of the country’s last continuously wild, migratory buffalo."

The park will keep the bison population in a range of between 3,500 and 6,000 animals after calving, which will keep the population in line with the average of about 5,000 bison that has been largely maintained during the past 10 years.

An Idaho Falls man was arrested and charged with disturbing wildlife after he allegedly kicked a bison in the leg.

Steve Kelly writes, "The long-term preservation of this unique wild genome is important to buffalo, to indigenous peoples and to the world."

American Prairie announced Thursday that 107 bison from its bison herds have found new homes with tribal nations in Montana, South Dakota and Washington.

Steve Kelly writes, "Last winter, well over 1,000 bison were massacred (shot with high-powered rifles) outside Yellowstone National Park’s boundary with Montana by state-licensed killers and killers from Indian nations claiming 19th-century treaty rights."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced new partnerships with Native American tribes to manage federal lands, promote bison conservation and support animal harvesting and meat processing.