To Save the Wild Bison: Life on the Edge in Yellowstone

The only place in the US where wild bison have been present since before the first Euro-Americans arrived is in Yellowstone National Park. However, when they roam outside the park, they can pose risks to property and people. Measures to constrain the population threaten their status as wild animals. Mary Ann Franke's book "To Save the Wild Bison" examines the ecological and political aspects of the bison controversy and how it reflects changing attitudes toward wildlife.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 02 July 2022
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press

Although the American bison was saved from near-extinction in the nineteenth century, today almost all herds are managed like livestock. The Yellowstone area is the only place in the United States where wild bison have been present since before the first Euro-Americans arrived. But these bison pose risks to property and people when they roam outside the park, including the possibility that they can spread the abortion-inducing disease brucellosis to cattle. Yet measures to constrain the population threaten their status as wild animals.

Mary Ann Franke's book, "To Save the Wild Bison," is the first to examine the ecological and political aspects of the bison controversy and how it reflects changing attitudes toward wildlife. The debate has evoked strong emotions from all sides, including park officials, environmentalists, livestock growers, and American Indians. In describing political compromises among competing positions, Franke does not so much champion a cause as critique the process by which federal and state officials have made and carried out bison management policies. She shows that science, however valuable a tool, cannot by itself resolve what is ultimately a choice among conflicting values.

The controversy over bison management has its roots in the nineteenth century, when the species was nearly extinct due to overhunting and habitat destruction. In the late 1800s, conservation efforts began to restore the population, and the American bison was successfully reintroduced to several areas of the United States, including Yellowstone National Park. However, the management of these herds has evolved over time, and today, most bison are managed like livestock, with breeding programs, vaccinations, and other interventions to ensure their health and productivity.

One of the main concerns with wild bison is their impact on livestock. Brucellosis, a bacterial disease that can cause abortions in cattle, is a concern in areas where wild bison and cattle share grazing lands. While there have been no confirmed cases of brucellosis transmission from wild bison to cattle in the United States, there is still a risk that it could occur. Measures to prevent the spread of brucellosis, such as vaccination programs and quarantine protocols, are in place to protect livestock producers.

However, these measures have also sparked controversy among environmentalists and American Indian groups. Some argue that the management of wild bison is unnecessary and that they should be allowed to roam free and manage themselves. They believe that the bison are an important part of the natural ecosystem and that their presence can help to restore the balance of the landscape. Others argue that the bison pose a risk to property and people and that measures to manage their population are necessary to protect public safety.

The debate over bison management has also raised broader questions about the role of government in managing wildlife. Some argue that the government should have a more hands-off approach and allow natural ecosystems to manage themselves. Others argue that the government has a responsibility to protect wildlife and that management policies should be based on scientific evidence and public input.

In conclusion, the controversy over the management of wild bison in the United States reflects the complex and multifaceted nature of the issue. While the American bison was saved from near-extinction in the nineteenth century, today almost all herds are managed like livestock. The Yellowstone area is the only place in the United States where wild bison have been present since before the first Euro-Americans arrived, but they pose risks to property and people when they roam outside the park. Measures to constrain the population threaten their status as wild animals, but these measures have also sparked controversy among environmentalists and American Indian groups. The debate over bison management has raised broader questions about the role of government in managing wildlife and the balance between conservation and human needs.

Weight: 608g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780806190945