Judge Halts Bison Helicopter Hazing!!!

BFC Update: At 1:45 PM May 14, 2012,

U.S. District Court Judge Charles C. Lovell issued a Temporary Restraining Order upon the Interagency Bison Management Plan agencies "from conducting further bison helicopter hazing operations in the targeted Hebgen Basin area pending further order of this Court."

Attorney Rebecca K. Smith presented arguments in today's hearing on behalf of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies to prohibit the use of Dept. of Livestock helicopters in threatened grizzly bear habitat to forcefully remove bison that have migrated into Hebgen Basin for the calving season.

Judge Charles C. Lovell's order is in effect for 14 days and can be renewed for an additional 14 days upon showing cause.
Buffalo Field Campaign provided expert assistance, video and photo documentation of grizzly bear activity and disturbances by the livestock agency's helicopters, evidence which weighed heavily in today's hearing and in Judge Lovell's order.

Read Lovell's order here: PDF

"Lovell granted the temporary restraining order after a hearing in Helena in which attorneys for the wildlife advocacy group Alliance for the Wild Rockies argued state and federal officials had not properly studied how the use of helicopters affects grizzly bears."  So, hazing bison is o.k. but, hazing grizzlies is not? Yeah, that makes no sense.

Read more: http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/judge-blocks-helicopter-hazing-of-yellowstone-park-bison/article_48a6739e-9e19-11e1-992f-001a4bcf887a.html#ixzz1uu3qPtF8

Quotes from judge Lovell

Steven's Creek Trap

Distasteful as the lethal removal may be to some, it is clearly one of the foremost management tools - time honored - necessarily utilized to protect the species, the habitat, and the public. Judge Lovell, Feb. 14, 2011

This has been recognized and authorized by Congress and well-implemented administratively in proper fashion.

Lovell also said the slaughter of 500 Yellowstone National Park bison would not harm the long-term survival of the species. (WTH?)

525 Bison Going to SLAUGHTER

Monday, Feb. 14, 2011. National Parks Service horseback rider hazes bison to move them from one location to another just inside Yellowstone National Park near Gardiner, Mont.

An Unhappy Valentine's Day by Judge Lovell included putting down the injunction filed by environmentalists to stop the unnecessary slaughter of America's last genetically pure, wild, bison.  He wrote that while the slaughter of bison may be "distasteful," it is a "time-honored" method of controlling a disease carried by many of the animals.  ("distasteful"="time-honored") Montana only cares about tradition.