Endangered and Threatened Species: 90-Day Finding for Three Petitions to List the Yellowstone Bison

A group of researchers and conservationists submitted an academic paper titled "The Ecological Future of the North American Bison" to provide a long-term, large-scale vision for bison restoration. The document outlines the "Vermejo Statement," which emphasizes inclusive, ambitious, and ecologically significant goals for the species over the next century.

The Wildlife Law Program of Friends of Animals argues that the Yellowstone bison should be listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. They provide scientific evidence regarding the bison's genetic diversity, current threats from habitat destruction and overutilization, and the inadequacy of current management plans to ensure long-term viability.

The Council on Wildlife and Fish, along with the Alliance for the Wild Rockies and the Native Ecosystems Council, argues that the Yellowstone bison are being subjected to excessive killing and habitat loss due to commercial interests and poor management. They support the ESA listing as a necessary measure to protect migratory routes, end illegal fencing and hazing, and preserve the cultural significance of the bison.

The commenter, representing Great Old Broads for Wilderness and the Gallatin Wildlife Association, supports the listing of the Yellowstone bison to protect them from extinction and habitat loss. They argue that the federal government must assert supremacy over state agencies to ensure bison conservation and criticize the current management practices of the State of Montana and the U.S. Forest Service.

Wyoming Wildlife Advocates supports the petition to list the Yellowstone bison as a Threatened or Endangered species. They argue that the herd faces significant threats from habitat destruction, capture and slaughter by ranchers, and climate change, and that listing them is necessary to provide a regulatory mechanism for their protection.

The Gallatin Wildlife Association, a nonprofit conservation organization, strongly urges the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list Yellowstone bison as a distinct population segment under the Endangered Species Act. They argue that the Yellowstone herd is uniquely significant due to its high level of genetic purity and its long-term persistence in a native landscape, necessitating specific protections to maintain its genetic integrity.

The commenter argues that bison are currently restricted to a small area for political reasons and should be listed under the Endangered Species Act. They emphasize the ecological and cultural importance of bison and advocate for providing them with more space to roam as a wild species.

The commenter highlights numerous threats to the wild bison population in Yellowstone, including habitat loss, human development, and management practices like trapping and domestication. They argue that these factors justify and necessitate the protection and recovery of the species under the Endangered Species Act.

The commenter argues that the Yellowstone bison are currently facing numerous threats, including habitat loss, human development, and management practices like trapping and domestication. They advocate for the protection and recovery of wild bison under the Endangered Species Act to address these ongoing issues.