Comment from Gregory, Probyn
Probyn GregorySupportIndividual
Summary: The commenter argues that the Yellowstone bison is a keystone species facing severe threats from habitat loss, human development, and government actions. They urge the agency to take all necessary actions to save and increase the population of the Yellowstone Herd.
Bison are a keystone species and deserving of special treatment as our National Mammal. Government slaughter has decimated the genetically distinct Central herd and the number of bison in the subpopulation remains dangerously low. Human land use has destroyed more than 85% of Yellowstone bison’s range and habitat while the government prohibits and excludes the migratory species from millions of acres of National public trust lands in the bioregion. <br/>Human developments have destroyed all 14 long distance migration corridors for Yellowstone bison to escape catastrophic events, and an inhospitable environment created by the government. Livestock control and veterinary management threaten Yellowstone bison’s wild genome – forged by their ancestors over thousands of years in a wild environment. Yellowstone bison may not be able to adapt body size in time to match the rapid change in climate and rising temperatures forecast over the next century.<br/>I urge you to do everything in your power to save and increase the Yellowstone Herd.<br/>