Yellowstone National Park bison population sees increase to 4,600

Yellowstone National Park biologists recently completed their annual summer bison count and now estimate the population at about 4,600 bison, a 9 percent increase from the previous year's 4,200. However, this year's increase was smaller than between 2011 and 2012, when the population grew by 14 percent. Around 3,200 bison belong to the northern herd and the rest are in the central herd. About 700 calves were observed this June, compared to 600 last year. The population estimate will be considered as part of the bison management strategy, according to a park news release. This year's population spike was in spite of a winter hunt that eliminated 250 bison. In years past, the park has justified some bison harvest based upon a management limit of 3,000 bison inside the park. However, the partners of the Interagency Bison Management Plan are considering a proposal to allow some bison to roam year-round in limited areas outside the park. That proposal could reduce the number inside the park without requiring hunts or slaughter...more

Looks like their "management strategy" is to foist the problem on somebody else.