With Bison Numbers Still High, Changes to Slaughter Weighed

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Wildlife managers are considering changes to the hunting and slaughter of bison that leave Yellowstone National Park after past efforts failed to achieve population reduction goals.

Roughly 600 bison were killed during the past winter, including through shipments of the animals to slaughter and hunting by American Indians and state-licensed hunters. Despite the hundreds of animals killed, officials told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle that the park's bison population saw no significant decrease.

A 2000 agreement between federal agencies and Montana officials mandates a low bison population in Yellowstone because they carry a disease that can cause cattle to abort.

There are no recorded transmissions of brucellosis from bison to cattle. To drive down the population, officials say are considering capturing bison for slaughter sooner than the Feb. 15 start date adopted for last winter.