By Dennis Jorgensen, bison program manager for World Wildlife Fund's U.S. Northern Great Plains Program
As a resident Montanan, (click here) professional bison conservationist and neighbor of nearby Yellowstone National Park, I can understand why people feel the urge to touch these massive mammals. They are a sight to behold — both undeniably cute and seemingly oblivious to our presence. However, as a biologist, I assure you that they are keenly aware of our approach. They can and will respond with lightning-fast reflexes if we get too close.
Bison are wild animals and Yellowstone is not a Zoo.
There have been at least two incidents of goring by Bison at Yellowstone recently. To begin this is a season when males are looking for females. They are very territorial. But, that has been the case before and why the goring now?
Climate change is providing very abnormal behaviors among the wildlife and not just Yellowstone. Currently, the oceans are a mess. The waters are warmer and schools of fish are found more north than they usually are found. That is an issue because fish are the food source for more than people.
But, the issues with food sources and territorial demands at Yellowstone are causing issues. The bison normally have a large range to graze and herd, but, they are now found near Old Faithful. That means they are in close range of tourists.
We all know the severe storms that hit Yellowstone closing the north east corner for an extended period of time. That is land most likely closed to wildlife as well, making territory less abundant. That storm also caused a lot of movement of the wildlife at Yellowstone. I am sure there were creatures lost to the ravages of the water torrent and that is trauma and confusion to wild animals.
All that said, the National Park Rangers need to have a collective meeting along with management and scientists to determine if Yellowstone should be open at all. The storm was trauma to wildlife, the staff that loves the park, but, also to a country that loves the park along with those that were planning to visit for the first time this year.
It is difficult for the National Park Service to turn away tourists and visitors. They want people to appreciate the beauty and learn what the natural world is all about to better understand the country we live in and planet Earth's majesty. Yellowstone National Park is majestic. There is no getting around it. It is also very wild. People do die there when they have the wrong orientation or attitude to the natural world.
Please, please understand that closing a National Park is serious business and should never be entered into except for extreme circumstances. I think Yellowstone National Park is exhibiting extreme reasons to close it until the Park Rangers believe it is stable enough to have Americans and tourists return.
