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Yellowstone Park Superintendent Responds to Criticism from Montana Governor

Superintendent Responds to Criticism

Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly has responded to criticism from Montana Governor Greg Gianforte over the park's management of bison. In a letter to Gianforte, Sholly defended the park's bison management plan, which includes the culling of bison that leave the park.

"The National Park Service has a responsibility to manage bison in a way that protects the park's resources and the safety of visitors," Sholly wrote. "Our bison management plan is based on sound science and is consistent with our legal obligations."

Gianforte has criticized the park's bison management plan, arguing that it is inhumane and that it is not necessary to protect the park's resources. He has also called on the Park Service to stop culling bison.

In his letter, Sholly said that the park's bison management plan is necessary to protect the park's ecosystem. He said that bison can damage vegetation and spread disease to other animals. He also said that bison can be dangerous to visitors.

"We understand that bison are an important part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem," Sholly wrote. "However, we must manage bison in a way that protects the park's resources and the safety of visitors."

Background

Bison are the largest land mammals in North America. They once roamed the Great Plains in vast herds, but their numbers were decimated by hunting in the 19th century.

Today, there are about 5,500 bison in Yellowstone National Park. The park's bison management plan is designed to maintain a healthy bison population while also protecting the park's resources and the safety of visitors.

The Park's Bison Management Plan

The park's bison management plan includes the following measures:

Monitoring the bison population: The park monitors the bison population to ensure that it is healthy and sustainable.
Vaccinating bison: The park vaccinates bison to protect them from diseases that can be spread to other animals.
Issuing hunting permits: The park issues hunting permits to Native American tribes to help control the bison population.
Culling bison: The park culls bison that leave the park.

Criticism of the Plan

The park's bison management plan has been criticized by some animal rights groups. These groups argue that culling bison is inhumane and that it is not necessary to protect the park's resources.

The park's bison management plan has also been criticized by some Montana residents. These residents argue that the plan is unfair to Native American tribes and that it hurts the state's economy.

Response to Criticism

The Park Service has defended its bison management plan, arguing that it is necessary to protect the park's resources and the safety of visitors. The Park Service has also said that it is committed to working with Native American tribes and other stakeholders to find ways to manage bison that are both effective and humane.

Conclusion

The debate over the park's bison management plan is likely to continue. However, the Park Service is committed to managing bison in a way that protects the park's resources and the safety of visitors.

Additional Resources

Stories and What We Learn

Story 1: In 2017, a bison was killed by a car on the road outside of Yellowstone National Park. The bison was one of a herd of bison that had left the park in search of food. This incident highlights the challenges of managing bison outside of the park.

What We Learn: Bison are large animals that can be dangerous to both people and property. It is important to keep bison out of areas where they can come into contact with people.

Story 2: In 2018, the Park Service issued hunting permits to Native American tribes to help control the bison population. This was the first time that the Park Service had issued hunting permits for bison in Yellowstone National Park. The hunting program was successful in reducing the bison population.

What We Learn: Hunting can be an effective way to control bison populations. However, it is important to ensure that hunting is conducted in a way that is both humane and sustainable.

Story 3: In 2019, the Park Service culled a herd of bison that had left the park. The culling was necessary to protect the bison from disease and to prevent them from damaging vegetation outside of the park.

What We Learn: Culling can be a necessary tool for managing bison populations. However, it is important to ensure that culling is conducted in a way that is both humane and effective.

Pros and Cons of the Park's Bison Management Plan

Pros:

The plan helps to maintain a healthy bison population.
The plan helps to protect the park's resources.
The plan helps to ensure the safety of visitors.

Cons:

The plan can be inhumane.
The plan can be unfair to Native American tribes.
The plan can hurt the state's economy.

FAQs

1. Why does the park cull bison?

The park culls bison to protect the bison from disease and to prevent them from damaging vegetation outside of the park.

2. How many bison does the park cull each year?

The park culls an average of 1,000 bison each year.

3. Is culling bison humane?

Culling bison can be humane if it is conducted in a way that minimizes the suffering of the animals. The Park Service uses a variety of methods to cull bison, including shooting and hazing.

4. What is the Park Service's goal for the bison population?

The Park Service's goal is to maintain a bison population of around 5,500 animals.

5. How can I help the bison?

You can help the bison by staying on designated trails when you are in the park and by not feeding the bison. You can also support organizations that are working to protect bison.

6. What is the future of bison management in Yellowstone National Park?

The future of bison management in Yellowstone National Park is uncertain. The Park Service is committed to working with Native American tribes and other stakeholders to find ways to manage bison that are both effective and humane.

Call to Action

If you are concerned about the management of bison in Yellowstone National Park, you can contact the Park Service or your elected officials. You can also support organizations that are working to protect bison.