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Oh, give me a home – Genetically pure Yellowstone buffalo available

August 6, 2008 /

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Bear Paw Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization created for the purpose of administering programs to help improve regional economic conditions in Hill, Blaine, Liberty, Chouteau and Phillips Counties and the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservations.

A bison quarantine effort begun in 2005 to isolate brucellosis-free animals in hopes of starting wild bison herds elsewhere in the United States has yielded its first offspring, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks said Tuesday.

Now, the department is looking for groups or agencies willing to adopt what would be the first genetically pure Yellowstone bison herd placed outside Yellowstone National Park in decades.

Twenty-one cows, four bulls and 15 calves will be shipped elsewhere to begin a wild herd of bison.

“We’re hopeful,” said Melissa Frost, a spokeswoman for FWP. “We’re hopeful to be able to preserve and restore Yellowstone bison outside the Yellowstone ecosystem.”

By DANIEL PERSON Chronicle Staff Writer

Full Story: http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2008/08/06/news/000bison.txt