Stop the Slaughter of Yellowstone's Wild Bison

Yellowstone's wild bison survived one of the darkest chapters in American wildlife history. Once numbering in the tens of millions across North America, bison were slaughtered nearly to extinction. Today, Yellowstone protects one of the last remaining wild herds descended from those survivors.

Yet these magnificent animals are still being captured and killed — largely because of livestock disease concerns and government population-control policies.

Every winter, Yellowstone's bison follow natural migration routes in search of food. But when they venture beyond park boundaries, they can face capture and slaughter under a management system designed in part to prevent conflicts with livestock.

The primary disease concern is brucellosis, which can cause miscarriages in cattle. Yet according to the National Park Service, there has never been a documented case of bison directly transmitting the disease to cattle. Elk, meanwhile, have been linked to documented cattle infections.

And Yellowstone may be capable of supporting far more bison than its management target. The Park Service aims for an average of approximately 5,000 animals, even though its own research suggests that parts of Yellowstone could provide enough forage for as many as 10,000 bison.

During winter 2024–2025, the Park Service captured 769 bison for transfer to meat-processing facilities, while just 97 entered its live conservation transfer program. They can do better.

Bison are not disposable animals. They are intelligent, social creatures whose migrations help shape Yellowstone's grasslands. Removing animals that follow these routes also interferes with natural ecological processes.

Better alternatives exist: expanding live conservation transfers, protecting migration opportunities, and reducing disease risks without unnecessarily killing sentient, ecologically valuable wildlife.

Yellowstone's bison survived near-extinction. We shouldn't keep killing them for following their natural instincts.

Please sign the petition urging the National Park Service and Department of the Interior to end routine bison slaughter and prioritize humane, nonlethal alternatives.

The petition to the National Park Service and Department of the Interior reads: End routine capture and slaughter of Yellowstone's wild bison as a population-management practice. Expand live conservation transfers, protect migration opportunities, and prioritize science-based, nonlethal alternatives that safeguard both wildlife and livestock.