BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK CONDUCTS BISON ROUND UP

Superintendent William Supernaugh announces that resource management and protection professionals will gather at Badlands National Park during the week of October 27 to conduct a round up of bison within Badlands National Park. The goal of the round up is to select approximately 150 animals to cull from the herd to reduce herd size. The 150 culled animals will be distributed to American Indian groups through the Intertribal Bison Cooperative (ITBC), a non-profit organization headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota that represents 51 member tribes in reestablishing buffalo herds on Indian lands in a manner that promotes cultural enhancement, spiritual revitalization, ecological restoration, and economic development.

The 2003 count indicates that the Badlands herd numbers nearly 1000 animals, exceeding the preferred carrying capacity of 700 animals in the Badlands Wilderness Area. Biologists estimate that the 64,000 acre Wilderness Area has sufficient grass to support up to 1800 head of bison; however, the lack of water available for animals reduces the carrying capacity to 500 to 700 animals. NPS staff plan on rounding up 50 adult cows, 50 adult bulls, 25 yearling cows, and 25 yearling bulls. These numbers are established by resource managers to maintain genetic diversity and improve the ratios of sex and age within the park herd. Removal of more animals could negatively impact these factors.

The Badlands National Park Bison Round Up is scheduled October 28 through 31, 2003. The weather forecast calls for cold weather and potential rain or snow. Visitors may watch the operation briefly if escorted by a member of the park staff. Noise and human activity is kept to a minimum to avoid increasing stress on the animals. Those interested in viewing the round up for periods of 30 minutes should stop by the Ben Reifel Visitor Center between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Visitor center staff will notify visitors of availability of public contact staff and procedures. If not public contact staff is available, visitors will not be permitted to view the operation for the safety of humans and wildlife. For more information, contact (605) 433 - 5361.