Gardner Bison Herd Debated Again
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comment on an environmental assessment of four interim locations and management for about 150 disease-free bison pending the development of a statewide bison conservation strategy. The interim locations include two Indian reservations and two wildlife management areas. Under the proposal bison could be moved to one or any combination of the four potential locations. Tribal lands evaluated in the environmental assessment include the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation near Malta and the Fort Peck Indian Reservation near Wolf Point. Public meetings have been set for next month to discuss the plan. The bison are part of a project that began in 2004 aimed at determining if bison can be kept free of the bacteria that causes brucellosis, a disease that results in miscarriages in some pregnant animals, including domestic cattle, and bison and elk. The bison, which were repeatedly tested for the disease, are considered brucellosis-free, but to complete the feasibility study additional follow-up testing will continue.
