Scientist Letter Recommends Prompt Wild Bison Restoration Action

News: November 8, 2019

Coordinated by this Coalition, 20 wildlife scientists from both within andwithout Montana have co-signed a letter to Governor Steve Bullock, recommending prompt action toward reestablishing a significant herd of public-trust wild bison on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. This follows a similar letter sent in 2014.

Scientists noted that “The once profound ecological influence of bison no longer exists on the Great Plains and the wild genotype of plains bison gradually deteriorates.” and that “The Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge is the best location in Montana and on the Great Plains for restoring a biologically significant wild bison herd.”

Scientists encouraged Bullock’s leadership, and the leadership of Montana, to recover an adequate sample of this iconic species and its habitat, maintaining the state’s reputation throughout the world, and demonstrating that Montanans take their wildlife heritage – their obligation to future generations – seriously. 

 

Recent Montana Wild Bison Restoration Coalition Activity

News Nov. 11, 2019

Recent Coalition Activity

Dr. Jim Bailey represented the Coalition at the American Bison Society meetings in New Mexico, October 28-30. The American Bison Society and Wildlife Conservation Society had rejected our request to describe our Coalition and its goals at the meeting, and also rejected our submissions for 2 posters to be presented. Nevertheless, Dr. Bailey was able to interact with several attending individuals who support our cause.

The theme of the conference “Restoration of bison on the edge of their historic range” did not seem to fit most of the presentations. Several presentations dealt with bison conservation in Mexico and Canada and restoration of usually small “cultural herds” on Native American reservations. There was a session on bison in Yellowstone National Park. A session on metapopulations, viability and domestication was most interesting. The U. S. Department of Interior bison management committee presented important data on genetic subpopulations within USDI herds, and Dr. Peter Dratch addressed genetic issues related to insidious domestication of federal bison.

A highlight of the meeting was a keynote address on the very many important ecological relationships of bison on the Great Plains, by Wes Olsen, Canadian biologist. Watch for Olsen’s book, The Ecological Buffalo, to be released soon.

Apparently, no abstracts or texts of presentations will be distributed.

On November 5, Dr. Bailey participated in a forum on Bison for the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge – at the University in Missoula. Paul Santavy, manager of the Refuge, and Tom France, National Wildlife Federation, were also on the program. Dr. Bailey also discussed wild bison at a Philosophy Department seminar in the afternoon.