Summary: Historically, as many as 20-30 million bison roamed across much of North America. Now they are an endangered species. Did you know that they are the largest land mammal in North America? Millions of bison once roamed freely across North America. However, after unregulated killing during the 19th century, wild bison were almost completely wiped out. While there are now half a million bison in the U.S., nearly all of those are cattle-bison hybrids managed for meat production. Bison are making a slow comeback as wildlife, mostly in small conservation herds. Fewer than 30,000 bison are managed for conservation instead of meat production, and only 5,000 bison are both free-roaming and disease-free, with a majority of those confined to the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park. During harsh winters and with nowhere else to go, bison are routinely culled upon leaving the park in search of food. Defenders.org is working with the Park Service, tribes, and state wildlife agencies and land managers to find suitable habitat for bison to roam free outside the park, hopefully someday putting an end to the annual slaughter. In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer will speak to Mike Leahy, Rocky Mountain Region Director, Defenders of Wildlife (www.defenders.org)to talk about this crisis and how you can get involved to stop this merciless slaughter!
