Wildlife Officials Look to Push Bison Toward Park

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — State and federal wildlife officials are considering ways to haze more than 160 bison back toward Yellowstone National Park.

Members of the Interagency Bison Management Program met by teleconference on Monday to hear concerns that more and more bison are roaming onto private land west of the park.

Montana state veterinarian Marty Zaluski says the bison must be removed before they calve on private ranchland that cattle will soon inhabit.

State Department of Livestock officials asked for reinforcements to help push back the bison off the private land to avoid potential conflict and reduced future tolerance for the animals.

The bison wander from the park in winter in search for food.

Yellowstone officials say the grass inside the park is not expected to sustain the animals until mid-May.