Montana’s governor as well as two state agencies have now sued Yellowstone National Park over bison herd management.
They argue that the plan violates federal law.
The lawsuit says that the park’s bison herd has grown in size and led to the increased spread of brucellosis, a highly contagious bacterial disease that can impact livestock.
Under the 2024 plan, Yellowstone’s bison population will be managed between 3,500 and 6,000 animals, a far jump from the 3,000 animal goal set in the year 2000.
Yellowstone’s Superintendent argues research has come a long way since that last bison management plan and this new plan solidifies that progress.
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Read the full press release published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.