Killing Underway, Save Last Wild Buffalo

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Livestock Trade Shapes Fate Of Buffalo
Millions of tax dollars fund slaughter of America's last free-roaming buffalo, the only wildlife restricted to Yellowstone. They are killed for roaming into lower-elevation habitat in search of food. The Park Service's job is to safeguard wildlife. The livestock trade's job is to vaccinate against brucellosis and protect animals. Ask each to do its job.

A global spotlight shines on Yellowstone National Park and Montana state for their hostile approach to wildlife management. The estimated 50 million buffalo who once ranged public lands have dwindled to fewer than 4,500 wild, genetically intact bison -- who only exist in Yellowstone Park; elsewhere they are ecologically extinct.

The government's quarantine and massacre of our last migrating herd may appease state cattle interests wary of Brucellosis -- yet there are no recorded cases of wild buffalo spreading this disease to cows. Urge federal and state authorities to uphold a policy of lenience toward a species vital to the area's ecological integrity.

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Dear Montana State and Federal Officials,

Once again, a global spotlight shines on Yellowstone National Park and Montana state for their hostile approach to wildlife management. Though this year's slaughter of America's last free-roaming bison is already underway -- I ask you to stop the roundup now.

The estimated 50 million buffalo who once ranged public lands have dwindled to fewer than 4,500 wild, genetically intact bison. And they all exist in Yellowstone National Park; elsewhere they are ecologically extinct. It is irresponsible to let Montana's Department of Livestock shape their fate.

Yet the Park Service seems to easily bow to pressure from Montana's livestock trade. Since 2/8/08, the agency has overseen the capture and confinement of 169 buffalo at the Stephens Creek bison trap within Yellowstone borders. All are destined for slaughterhouses, even 17 young calves among them.

I strongly urge federal and state authorities to defend our national heritage and uphold a policy of lenience toward a species vital to the area's ecological integrity.

The government's quarantine and massacre of our last migrating herd may appease state cattle interests wary of Brucellosis -- yet there are no documented cases of wild buffalo spreading this disease directly to cows. Elk, believed to spread brucellosis, are not systematically herded and killed. They roam freely, as the buffalo should.

Millions of U.S. tax dollars fund the killing of buffalo whose natural migration leads them in or near the Church Universal & Triumphant property, where less than 250 cows graze. Bison are also excluded from Gallatin National Forest lands, even though Congress once qualified this region as winter habitat for animals whose forage becomes snow-covered inside Yellowstone. Buffalo, the only wildlife restricted to Yellowstone, are killed for roaming into lower-elevation habitat in search of food.

The Park Service's job is to safeguard wildlife. The livestock industry's job is to protect its animals, including vaccination of all cattle against brucellosis. Please do your jobs so I may once again support tourism in Montana.

Thank you,

YOUR FULL NAME
ADDRESS, CITY, STATE
COUNTRY

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MONTANA OFFICIALS
Suzanne Lewis, Yellowstone National Park Superintendent
PO Box 168; Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
ph: 307-344-2002, 307-344-2013, or 307-344-7381
email: yell_superintendent@nps.gov, suzanne_lewis@nps.gov

Montana Department of Livestock
Box 202001; Helena, MT 59620
ph: 1-406-444-0782
Christian Mackay, Executive Officer: cmackay@mt.gov
Dr. Marty Zaluski, State Veterinarian: 406-444-0782,
mzaluski@mt.gov
Steve Merritt, Public Information Officer: 406-444-9431

Governor Brian D. Schweitzer
Office of the Governor, Montana State Capitol Bldg.
P.O. Box 200801; Helena MT 59620-0801
ph: 406-444-3111; fax: 406-444-5529
email: BrianSchweitzer@mt.gov, governor@mt.gov
web mail: http://governor.mt.gov/contact/ commentform.asp

NATIONAL OFFICIALS
Mary Bomar, Director, National Park Service
1849 C Street NW Room 3312; Washington, DC 20240
ph: 202-208-4621; fax: 202-208-7889
email: Mary_Bomar@nps.gov, Director_Bomar%NPS@ios.doi.gov

Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.; Washington DC 20240
ph: 202-208-7351, 202-208-6843
web mail: http://www.doi.gov/contact.html

National Park Service Advisory Board
c/o Mr. Loran Fraser, Chief Office of Policy
National Park Service
1849 C Street, NW, Room 7250; Washington, DC 20240
ph: 202-208-7468; email: loran_fraser@nps.gov

MONTANA TOURISM OFFICES
West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 458; West Yellowstone, MT 59758
ph: 406-646-7701; email: wycc@wyellowstone.com
website: http://www.westyellowstonechamber.com/

Montana Promotion Division (Travel Montana)
PO Box 200533; Helena MT 59620-0501
ph: 406-841-2870; fax: 406-841-2871
email: mt-webmaster@visitmt.com, bbaumgart@mt.gov,
vbjornberg@mt.gov
website: http://travelmontana.state.mt.us/

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*****THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE*****
DO NOT SEND THIS ALERT!

yell_superintendent@nps.gov, suzanne_lewis@nps.gov, cmackay@mt.gov, mzaluski@mt.gov, BrianSchweitzer@mt.gov, Mary_Bomar@nps.gov, Director_Bomar%NPS@ios.doi.gov, loran_fraser@nps.gov, wycc@wyellowstone.com, mt-webmaster@visitmt.com, bbaumgart@mt.gov, vbjornberg@mt.gov

Governor Brian D. Schweitzer, web mail: http://governor.mt.gov/contact/ commentform.asp
Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior, web mail: http://www.doi.gov/contact.html

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Comments: *****THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE***** DO NOT SEND THIS ALERT! Once again, a global spotlight shines on Yellowstone National Park and Montana state for their hostile approach to wildlife management. Though this year's slaughter of America's last free-roaming bison is already underway -- I ask you to stop the roundup now. The estimated 50 million buffalo who once ranged public lands have dwindled to fewer than 4,500 wild, genetically intact bison. And they all exist in Yellowstone National Park; elsewhere they are ecologically extinct. It is irresponsible to let Montana's Department of Livestock shape their fate. Yet the Park Service seems to easily bow to pressure from Montana's livestock trade. Since 2/8/08, the agency has overseen the capture and confinement of 169 buffalo at the Stephens Creek bison trap within Yellowstone borders. All are destined for slaughterhouses, even 17 young calves among them. I strongly urge federal and state authorities to defend our national heritage and uphold a policy of lenience toward a species vital to the area's ecological integrity. The government's quarantine and massacre of our last migrating herd may appease state cattle interests wary of Brucellosis -- yet there are no documented cases of wild buffalo spreading this disease directly to cows. Elk, believed to spread brucellosis, are not systematically herded and killed. They roam freely, as the buffalo should. Millions of U.S. tax dollars fund the killing of buffalo whose natural migration leads them in or near the Church Universal & Triumphant property, where less than 250 cows graze. Bison are also excluded from Gallatin National Forest lands, even though Congress once qualified this region as winter habitat for animals whose forage becomes snow-covered inside Yellowstone. Buffalo, the only wildlife restricted to Yellowstone, are killed for roaming into lower-elevation habitat in search of food. The Park Service's job is to safeguard wildlife. The livestock industry's job is to protect its animals, including vaccination of all cattle against brucellosis. Please do your jobs so I may once again support tourism in Montana. Thank you,

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Kinship Circle

In kinship, not dominion, each individual is seen. We do not use the rhetoric of slavery. To define animals as unique beings Guardian, Caregive, Him/Her/They… replace Owner, Own, It… Until moral equity and justice serve all — no one is free.

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