Comment from Wuerthner, George
George WuerthnerSupportAcademic
Summary: An ecologist who has studied bison and their ecology in Yellowstone National Park supports listing the Yellowstone Bison under the ESA. The commenter argues that these bison are less domesticated than other herds and that current culling practices negatively impact the ecosystem and the population's natural evolutionary processes.
I am an ecologist who has written extensively about bison and their ecology. I have spent years observing wildlife, including bison, in Yellowstone National Park. I support the listing of Yellowstone Bison under the ESA for the following reasons.<br/><br/>The Yellowstone bison are the least "domesticated" herds in the lower 48 states. Most bison herds are on tribal lands, private ranches and some state and federal parks. However, nearly all are strongly influenced by domestication. By domesticated, I mean influenced by human selection.<br/>The Yellowstone bison after the initial recovery phase (when they were fed, etc.), have been primarily influenced by natural evolutionary factors such as predators, harsh winters, drought, and other selective factors. Past and recent culling is having a negative impact on bison and the ecosystem. <br/><br/>Removal of bison by hunting, capture and slaughter, etc. removes bison biomass from the park ecosystem where it is unavailable to other native species like wolves, ravens, bears, and so on. <br/>Culling is also indiscriminate removing animals that may have survival benefits to the entire population. Under natural conditions, diseased, injured, young and older animals would naturally be removed from the population. Current culling processes make no such distinctions. <br/><br/>The Yellowstone bison as a result are worthy of distinct population designation. <br/><br/>The Yellowstone bison has ecological, historical and evolutionary value. These values are worthy of protection.