Bill to ban relocation of Yellowstone bison stalls

The House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee has tabled a bill that would have banned the relocation of quarantined Yellowstone National Park bison to anywhere in Montana, except the National Bison Range near Moiese.

Senate Bill 337, sponsored by John Brenden, R-Scobey, would have prohibited the relocation off specially quarantined Yellowstone Park bison, even though the animals are certified to be free of brucellosis, an infectious disease that can cause cattle to abort their calves.

At the bill's hearing Brenden said the bill would prevent further spread of the disease that has cost the Montana cattle industry millions of dollars.

But state livestock officials, bison conservation groups and the Fort Peck and Fort Belknap tribes, said that there was no need to fear brucellosis transmission to cattle because the bison would be certified to be free of the disease and would be heavily monitored upon relocation

Officials from the Fort Peck Fish and Game Department argued that the bill's real intent of was to keep their tribe from acquiring the animals.

Brenden did not return calls for comment Friday.

- by CNS reporter Lauren Russell. (Photo courtesy of the National Bison Range.)