In a shocking show of intolerance for these majestic creatures, government agents started an aggressive effort to capture and slaughter bison this week. Just in recent days, 169 bison have been shipped off for slaughter for no reason except that they wandered over the invisible border of Yellowstone National Park onto other federal land in search of food. Click here for more information and what you can do to help stop the slaughter.

Over the last decade, state and federal agencies have slaughtered almost 5,000 Yellowstone bison, members of America's only continuously wild herd. Yellowstone National Park, our nation's first national park, was created to establish a safe haven for these animals. It has become their worst nightmare now, as park staff work side by side with other officials to round up and kill these bison. We must protect the fewer than 4,500 wild bison (also known as buffalo) left out of an estimated 50 million who once roamed this nation.

TAKE ACTION
Bison advocates have planned a Week of Action (February 14-21) that will target decision-makers involved with the Interagency Bison Management Plan program. Please make brief polite phone calls to the following individuals on the designated day and urge them to end the slaughter of bison at Yellowstone National Park:

• Thursday, February 14, 2008, National Call-in Day to Yellowstone Superintendent Suzanne Lewis: 307-344-2002, 307-344-2013, or 307-344-7381
• Friday, February 15, 2008, National Call-in Day to Mary Bromer, Director, National Park Service: 202-208-4621
• Tuesday, February 19, 2008, National Call-in Day to Dr. Marty Zaluski, State Veterinarian, Montana Department of Livestock: 406-444-0782
• Wednesday, February 20, 2008, National Call-in Day to Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne: 202-208-3100
• Thursday, February 21, 2008, National Call-in Day to Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer: 406-444-3111.

When you call, you will likely speak to a staff member who will pass your message along. Remember to be polite and professional, and leave your name and address. When you call, you can say:

"Hello, my name is [your name] and I'm calling from [your town] to protest the capture and slaughter of bison outside the western boundary of Yellowstone National Park. Please halt the bison hunt by dismantling the Stephens Creek bison trap immediately and withdrawing the Interagency Bison Management Plan. The bison in Yellowstone are a national treasure and should not be slaughtered when they migrate across the boundaries of the park. Thank you."

We're tracking the national outcry to the slaugher of Yellowstone bison, so after you make your calls, click here to let us know. Please also tell your friends and family to make calls for bison during this week of action. We need everyone who cares about protecting the Yellowstone bison herd to speak up now.

Thank you for all you do for animals.

Sincerely,

Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States