Bison Movement Approved

Montana Governor Steve Bullock has approved a request from Yellowstone National Park to move 63 bison from a holding facility in the park, near Gardiner, to an Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service facility in Corwin Springs, three miles away.  The animals are being moved to the facility for research and quarantine. Under a Montana Executive Order issued in 2011, the U.S. Department of Interior is prohibited from transporting “wildlife in Montana to or from any Department of Interior-managed lands or facilities without prior approval.” Making the approval was not difficult since Bullock says the movement of the bison to quarantine is consistent with the Interagency Bison Management Plan.  In approving the transfer, Bullock encouraged Yellowstone Park officials to work closely with his staff and the Montana Departments of Livestock, and Fish, Wildlife and Parks to assure the transfer is accomplished safely.  No date for moving the bison has been set as yet.