where the buffalo roam....

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Buffalo Field Campaign News from the Field

2/28/02

 

In this issue:

 

* An Update from the Field

* International Buffalo Network

* Week of Action Update and Planned Events:

* Public Forum on Science and Spirituality of Yellowstone Bison Management

* Women's Day of Action Announcement

* Recycle Printer Cartridges to Support the Buffalo

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* An Update from the Field

 

Weekends are usually our time for relaxing, catching up on lost sleep, and

enjoying peaceful time in the presence of the buffalo. Last weekend would prove

different. Saturday morning our friends Mike and Myla were visiting from Bozeman

and we signed up for the morning Madison patrol. This shift involves skiing

downstream along the south banks of the Madison River from the park boundary to

a beautiful and expansive meadow a few miles outside the park where the buffalo

like to graze.

 

When we reached the meadow we were greeted by two bull bison that had crossed

the river in the night and were munching on the exposed grass of the river bank.

We sat in the snow and watched them eat, feeling lucky to be in one of the only

places in the world where you can sit and watch wild buffalo in their natural

habitat. As the morning progressed we observed a pair of bald eagles foraging

above the river, countless ducks floating and flying by, and a large hawk

circling high above.

 

Near the end of the shift we saw some buffalo two hundred yards upstream. When

we went to investigate we found a mixed herd of nine bison cows and their

yearling calves. What a blessing! This was the first mixed herd to leave the

park this winter. Previous to Saturday only bulls had come into Montana.

Standing there watching them I couldn*t help but think to last spring, and

wonder if these were some of the same yearlings that were born during one of the

many DOL hazing operations. This thought led me to thoughts of the future, and a

tinge of sadness and fear crept into my gut. How long would it take for the DOL

to come out and harass this herd of nine?

 

As it turned out, less than 24 hours.

 

On Sunday morning the Department of Livestock and the federal agencies came out

in force, firing explosive cracker rounds, throwing sticks, rocks, and snowballs

to haze this herd more than five miles to the buffalo trap on Horse Butte. BFC

volunteers who were attempting to videotape the operation were restricted from

areas where tourists on snowmobiles were allowed to be and threatened with

arrest.

 

After they were captured three of the moms and two young bulls were loaded onto

a cattle trailer and slaughtered. Three orphaned yearling calves and a

three-year-old pregnant buffalo were released near the spot of their capture.

The pregnant cow was fitted with a radio collar. This is the first time this

winter the DOL came out on a weekend and it shows how systematically they are

going about their work of eradicating buffalo from Montana. Releasing yearling

calves after killing their mothers seems a sure way to insure their death. Young

buffalo rely on their familial herds to break trails through the deep snow and

to help them push snow aside to find grass.

 

The happy side (if there is one) to this story occurred today when these four

shaken animals walked down off Horse Butte and back to Yellowstone, where they

joined a different mixed herd of seven buffalo that is grazing on the Madison

River less than two miles inside the boundary. Where yesterday there was doubt

about whether the yearlings could survive today there is relief that they have

the safety and protection of another herd and hope that they will survive until

spring. But the uneasiness remains. The question is not if, but when will this

herd leave the park and find itself the victim of another DOL hazing and capture

operation.

 

With the Buffalo,

 

Dan Brister

 

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* International Buffalo Network

 

In the past we have asked our supporters to help us with petitions,

letter-writing and with donations of supplies and financial contributions. In

light of recent events we are now asking you to make a deeper commitment in

saving the last wild buffalo herd. We cannot stop the wanton and unjustified

slaughter of the buffalo through our efforts in the field alone and we need your

help. We feel that the whole world needs to know what is happening here in

Montana. The United States and Montana state governments need to know that

citizens throughout the world want the slaughter to stop. Buffalo Field Campaign

is asking for you to form a buffalo support group in your community. Your new

group can help buffalo by organizing video showings, tabling with education

materials and conducting demonstrations at your local federal building or

federal agency office. Our goal is to organize an International Buffalo Network

that will educate the public and organize demonstrations all across the world.

Buffalo Field Campaign will provide you with an organizing packet including all

the info you need to get your group up and running. If you are interested in

starting such a group please call the office at 406-646-0070 and ask for Mike B

or Anna or email buffalo.

 

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* Week of Action, National Day of Action and Day of Prayer for the Buffalo

 

We are organizing our third annual Week of Action for the Yellowstone Buffalo

and need your help. This year's Week of Action is scheduled for March 18-24 and

will include a variety of workshops, non-violent direct action, and ceremonies.

Please come if you can. We are also helping to organize solidarity rallies

across the country on March 23. An interdenominational prayer will be led by

Ehnamani Sundance Church at noon on the 24th. Please join us in prayer, wherever

you may be. If you are interested in helping to organize the Day of Action in

your community, please contact Dan Brister or Pete Leusch at

bfc-media.

 

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* Public Forum On Science And Spirituality Of Yellowstone Bison Management In

Bozeman, MT

 

What: Panel discussion with Mary Meagher, Peter Illyn, Scott Frazier and Mike

Mease concerning the ethics of the current Yellowstone Bison Management Plan.

 

When: Friday, March 22 from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM.

Where: The Emerson Cultural Center, Bozeman, Montana.

 

Who: Mary Meagher worked in Yellowstone National Park from 1959-1997. From

1968-1997 she was the acting Research Field Ecologist for large mammals. She

received her PHD in Vertebrate Zoology from UC Berkley in 1970. Mary is

recognized as an expert in Yellowstone bison ecology.

 

Peter Illyn is a former evangelical minister and current executive director of

Restoring Eden. He " Speaks out for those who cannot speak for themselves "

[Proverbs 31:8]. He advocates for natural habitats, wild species, and indigenous

cultures. Peter*s writing has been featured in Outside Magazine, the Utne

Reader, and Christianity Today.

 

Scott Frazier is a Crow tribal member and spiritual traditionalist. He is

concerned about the spiritual and physical health of both native and non-native

people. Scott is leader of the Ehnamani Sundance Church.

 

Mike Mease is a co-founder of grassroots groups Cold Mountain, Cold Rivers

(video production / environmental advocacy), and Buffalo Field Campaign

(advocates for Yellowstone bison). Mike has produced over twenty environmental

and human rights video documentaries.

 

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* Women's Day of Action Announcement

 

On Wednesday, March 20th, in celebration of the Spring Equinox, BFC will host a

Women's Day of Action. The intent of the day will be to renew a worldview that

perceives and defends all life as sacred; one that will carry us out of the

downward spiral of dominance based culture. It is also a time to honor Horse

Butte as the land the Buffalo have chosen as their birthing ground. There will

be interactive women-led learning circles targeted toward skills and ideas that

support us in activism and that help men understand the particular struggles

women face. These include herbal instructions, dialogues about eco-feminism and

direct action, and creative workshops. We will embrace spontaneity and utilize

new ideas as they arrive. The day will culminate in a Ceremony/Spiral Dance at

the Horse Butte buffalo capture facility. The intent of this event is to embrace

our diverse sense of the sacred, offer positive energy to reclaim space for the

buffalo, and express our grief and anger as a way to re-enchant our work for the

earth.

 

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* Recycle Printer Cartridges to Support the Buffalo

 

Do you recycle your printer cartridges or do they end up in the landfill? Can

you collect (from friends and businesses in your community) 20 or more

cartridges a month? Could you set up a collection box in your town?

 

You could recycle cartridges and at the same time generate donations for the

important work that the Buffalo Field Campaign is doing! It's simple, easy and

we can get you going soon. Please contact us at bfc-programs for

more information!

Buffalo Field Campaign

PO Box 957

West Yellowstone, MT 59758

(406) 646-0070

http://www.wildrockies.org/buffalo/

buffalo