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BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) – The U.S. Forest Service has given Montana wildlife officials permission to construct a four-foot high, seven-mile long electric fence near Gardiner to steer bison that migrate out of Yellowstone National Park to acceptable grazing land.
The fencing is required as part of a lease agreement with the Royal Teton Ranch, which enables a limited number of bison to traverse a corridor so they may graze on public land north of the park.
Gardiner District Ranger Ken Britton says forest rangers and scientists with the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks will monitor how bison and other wildlife navigate the corridor, and make any necessary adjustments.
The Royal Teton Ranch deal is part of a larger effort to protect livestock from brucellosis, a disease carried by bison that causes cattle to abort; while also giving bison more room to roam.
Filed under: Bison, Wildlife in trouble, animal rights, international
