Yellowstone National Park’s plan to increase its bison herd by 15% has sparked a heated debate with neighboring Montana, which is threatening to sue ¹. The park’s bison population has been growing steadily, with estimates suggesting around 5,200 bison currently roam the park ¹. However, Montana is concerned that a larger bison population will lead to more animals migrating out of the park and onto private land, increasing the risk of brucellosis transmission to cattle ¹.
Brucellosis is a reproductive disease that can be transmitted between bison and cattle, and Montana’s cattle industry is worth millions of dollars ¹. If brucellosis is detected in even a single cow, entire herds could be quarantined, causing significant economic losses ¹. However, it’s worth noting that there hasn’t been a confirmed case of brucellosis transmission from bison to cattle in recent years.
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