What happens when the bison leave Yellowstone National Park?
Under the Interagency Bison Management Plan, representatives of DOL try and haze the bison back into the park. If this is successful, nothing else is required. If the hazing is not successful, due to a number of factors – heavy snow or coverage, the bison traveling too far from the park, interference from protestors or activists – the bison are captured and tested for brucellosis. The bison that test pregnant or seropositive are sent to slaughter. The bison that test negative or seronegative and are not pregnant are released back onto public land.
