THE INTERAGENCY BISON MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK AND MONTANA

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THE
INTERAGENCY BISON MANAGEMENT PLAN

FOR YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK AND MONTANA
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AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Manage bison population inside the park boundary.
Ensure the population of bison are preserved and
protected unimpaired for future generations.
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AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST
Manage wildlife habitat on National Forest lands.
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AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES
MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS
Supervise the management and public use of all
wildlife, fish, game and furbearing animals and
non-game animals of the state.
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AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES
MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK
Protect and promote the Montana livestock
industry. Cooperate with federal agencies to
remove infection and suppress diseases.
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AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES
ANIMAL and PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
Lead the national effort to protect, sustain and
improve the health, quality and productivity of
the United States agricultural resources.
Prevent the spread of livestock diseases.
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The Interagency Bison Management Plan . . .
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IBMP
PURPOSE
Maintain a wild, free-ranging population of bison.
Address the risk of brucellosis transmission ...
to protect the economic interest and viability of
the livestock industry in the state of Montana.
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OBJECTIVES
1. Address bison population size and distribution
2. Clearly define a boundary line beyond which
bison will not be tolerated
3. Address the risk to public safety and private
property damage inflicted by bison.
4. Commit to the eventual elimination of
brucellosis in bison and other wildlife.
5. Protect livestock from the risk of
brucellosis
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OBJECTIVES
6. Protect the state of Montana from the risk of
losing their brucellosis class-free status.
7. At a minimum, maintain a viable population of
wild bison in Yellowstone National Park, as
defined in biological, genetic, and ecological
terms.
8. Recognize that the scientific database is
changing.
9. Recognize the need for coordination in the
management of natural and cultural resource
values that are the responsibility of the
signatory agencies.
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Movements of bison are reciprocal in the central
interior of the park.
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INTERIOR IN WINTER
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Winter movements of bison on the northern range
are most likely to be in a northerly direction
(towards lower elevations) in large numbers.
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NORTHERN RANGE IN WINTER
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West Boundary Management Zones
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Aerial view of West Boundary Management Area
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North Boundary Management Zones
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Aerial View of North Boundary Management Area
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Elements of The Interagency Bison Management Plan
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Private
Public
Spatial and Temporal Separation of Bison and
Cattle Both at the North and West areas
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Step 1 of the Bison Management Plan (North)

• 1. Due to the presence of cattle on private
  lands adjacent to the park, NPS prevents bison
  moving north of north boundary
• 2. If hazing fails, Yellowstone will operate
  capture facility at Stephens Creek.
  Sero-positives shipped to slaughter up to 200
  sero-negatives held for release in spring.
• Bison allowed in Eagle/Bear Creek on National
  Forest where no cattle are grazed.

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Step 1 of the Bison Management Plan (West)
1. No bison allowed between May 15th and
November 15th. 2. If hazing back to park fails,
bison will be captures. Sero-positives sent to
slaughter, up to 100 sero-negatives allowed in
zone 2. Pregnant females will be monitored by
telemetry. 3. Captured and released bison can
be vaccinated.
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Step 2 of the Bison Management Plan (North)

• 1. Begins when cattle removed from RTR during
  winter.
• 2. Up to 100 sero-negative bison allowed north
  of the park and west of Yellowstone River.
• 3. Captured sero-positive are shipped to
  slaughter.
• Bison allowed in Eagle/Bear Creek on National
  Forest where no cattle are gra

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Step 3 of the Bison Management Plan
1. In both boundary areas, the plan allows up
to 100 untested bison in Zone 2. 2. Back to the
park by April 15 on north May 15 on west. 3.
If not back by required date, can be lethally
removed. 4. Can go to Step 3 when vaccination
begins in the Park.
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Cattle Vaccination
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Bison Vaccination
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Addressing Threats of State Sanctions
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Late Winter/Early Spring Management Trigger - If
the population gt 3000 and bison are outside of
the park
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Quarantine
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SUMMARY
1. Addresses bison population size and
distribution
2. Clearly defines a boundary line beyond which
bison will not be tolerated
3. Addresses the risk to public safety and
private property damage inflicted by
bison.
4. Commits to the eventual elimination of
brucellosis in bison and other wildlife.
5. Protects livestock from transmission of
brucellosis
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THE FUTURE
1. It is an integrated package of long-term
management prescriptions
2. It is based on adaptive management principles
of designed learning and adjustment.
3. It remains a volatile issue that many people
respond to strongly.
4. The NPS is committed to implementing the
IBMP.

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How does the IBMP achieve the National Park
Service mission?
- Conserves a viable population of bison -
Provides for increasing tolerance of bison on
some adjacent public lands during the winter when
cattle are not present.
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How does the IBMP serve Montanas Needs?
- Maintains brucellosis class-free designation -
It begins to systematically reduce the
seroprevalence rate of bison
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Thank you for your Attention! Any Questions?