Judge rules reassessment of Yellowstone bison status

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled on Feb. 1 that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) must reassess its decision that the Yellowstone bison are not in need of Endangered Species Act protection. This effectively puts the Yellowstone population of bison back in the Endangered Species List consideration pool. Judge Cooper admonished the USFWS for cherry-picking scientific evidence. The bison population within the park has been growing well past recovery levels and expanding beyond the borders of the park, a detail the judge acknowledged. Excess or far-ranging bison have been hazed back into the park territory or culled as judged necessary for management goals. Opponents to this have argued that the USFWS is bending to agricultural pressure over the bison’s potential to spread brucellosis. “We’re thrilled to put bison back in queue for listing under the Endangered Species Act,” said the Western Watershed Project in its announcement of the decision. “It’s a first step forward in a long battle for truly affording this magnificent animal the full protection it needs to survive, thrive, and expand.” — WLJ