Yellowstone Bison Destined for Slaughter as Park Trims Herd

GARDINER, Mont. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park plans to start shipping many of its famous wild bison to slaughter on Wednesday in response to concerns by the livestock industry over a disease carried by the animals. The park's actions are dictated by a 2000 agreement with Montana that requires Yellowstone to control its bison herds. Meat from the slaughter will be distributed to American Indian tribes that traditionally subsisted on bison. About 150 of the animals have been captured this winter attempting to migrate into Montana. Nearby ranchers worry about brucellosis, a disease some bison carry that causes cattle to abort their young.