Yellowstone National Park is about to kill 900 of its roughly 5,000 bison to appease nearby ranchers, according to an Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) press release.
The reason? Bison might spread a bacterial infection to cattle, called brucellosis, which is non-fatal but can cause a fever. The ALDF contends brucellosis has never jumped from bison to cows "outside of a laboratory setting," and is suing the national park to allow journalist access to the killings on February 15.
This could be a very unpopular move by park officials — particularly because the bison could soon become the national mammal of the United States.
In December 2015, the US Senate passed a bill that would honor the American bison, the country's largest land mammal, as our national mammal. The National Bison Legacy Act now awaits consideration by the US House.
Frankly, it's about time.
The bison stands as one of the most majestic, if smelly, creatures that rebounded from near-extinction over 100 years ago. Today, they happily roam all 50 states.
Here's why they should become America's most prized animal.