Program to kill Grand Canyon bison nets 4 animals, criticism

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Day three and the shooters were waiting under the cover of pine trees for the rain to let up. Thirty minutes later, a single branch snapped, revealing a small herd of bison in the distance.

Before a young cow was identified as the target, the massive animals disappeared into a thicket at the Grand Canyon's North Rim.

“No shots and no bison,” said Charles Gorecki, one of about a dozen volunteers selected to participate in a highly anticipated and highly criticized lethal removal program at the Grand Canyon.

-snip-

Critics say rather than killing the bison, the animals should be relocated to other areas or given to Native American tribes under an existing effort.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/program-kill-grand-canyon-bison-172646531.html

[abqtommy]

1. This is shameful. I'm supporting the bison! nt

[Bayard]

2. Is the area really being overrun with bison?

And going after a young cow specifically? Despicable!

[NickB79]

3. Yes and yes

Bison aren't even native to this part of America, having been introduced in the early 1900's. So any animals are technically too many, but they've set a target of 200 as a compromise.

And they're targeting females to reduce breeding numbers.

[Bayard]

4. Mustangs aren't native either

They come from horses that escaped from the early Spaniards. They aren't allowed to be shot (even though ranchers still do).

If they want to reduce numbers, at least take out the breeding bulls, not the females.

[NickB79]

5. You make a bigger impact removing females

One bull can breed dozens of cows. You'd have to remove almost all the bulls to stop breeding. Shooting cows reduces the population rapidly.

At least wild horses are preyed upon by cougars and wolves (where we allow predators to exist). Bison have virtually no natural predators left in their range except humans. And the BLM already rounds up thousands of mustangs annually.