More than 300 Yellowstone bison removed so far

BOZEMAN, Mont. – More than 300 bison have been culled from Yellowstone National Park during the current effort to keep the park’s herd at a manageable level.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports that the number removed so far was as of last Friday either by hunting or by capture-for-slaughter operations, which were still occurring this week.

The National Park Service reports that as of last Friday hunters licensed through seven tribal nations have taken 96 bison.

The park’s Stephens Creek Capture Facility had trapped and consigned 208 bison to slaughter. One bison died in the facility.

Results on brucellosis tests on the bison are pending.

Park officials planned to remove 600 to 900 bison. About 4,500 bison were counted last summer in Yellowstone.