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Report recommends capping Yellowstone bison removal at 1,250

In this Aug. 3, 2016, file photo, a large bison blocks traffic as tourists take photos of the animals in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Park officials discovered Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2017, that more than 52 bison had escaped from a containment area through a fence that had been cut open. The bison had not yet been found Wednesday, officials said. (Matthew Brown / Associated Press)
Associated Press

BOZEMAN – A recently released Yellowstone National Park bison status report says officials are looking to cap this winter’s cull of bison at 1,250.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported the recommendations released late last week also include banning bison hunting the West Yellowstone area because the officials have noticed the portion of the herd that migrates there has been decreasing.

Park biologists counted 4,816 Yellowstone bison during aerial surveys in August.

Last year, park officials removed more than 1,200 bison last winter through managed hunts and ship-to-slaughter operations.

According to the park’s status report, officials plan to trap bison so they can be shipped to slaughter again this year despite protests from bison advocates.

Various state, federal and tribal officials are expected to finalize winter cull details as early as November.