For Immediate Rease...(This story j buffalo en.alerts 12:57 PM Jan 15, 1999 (at wildrockies.org) Buffalo Nations P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, Mt. 59758 Phone (406)646-0070 Fax (406)646-0071 E-mail buffalo@wildrockies.org. Buffalo Nations Activist blocks access to capture facility by sitting in a 30 ft. tripod, delaying the possible death of ten bull buffalo for six hours. Tripod sitter and supporter arrested ! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 13, 1999 Media Contacts: Mike Mease, Sarah K. Chalmers (406) 646-0070 WEST YELLOWSTONE, MT- This morning, before first light, Buffalo Nations activist Sue Nackoney set herself in a 30 foot tripod on Duck Creek Road to prevent the shipment of buffalo to the slaughterhouse. Ten bulls were captured yesterday by the Department of Livestock. Just before 7 am local resident Dale Koelzer, who allows the state of Montana to operate the Duck Creek capture facility on his property, attempted to ram the tripod and run over protesters who were standing in front of it with his pick-up truck. There were no charges against Mr. Koelzer. All traffic to and from the capture facility had been halted by the tripod for six hours. Officers with the Galltin County Sherrifs Department, the Yellowstone Police Department, Park Service Law Enforcement, and Forest Service Law Enforcement arrived on the scence around 7am. Sue Nackoney was arrested and taken into custody. Molly Karp was also arrested for tresspassing when the police decided she was too close, after being told she could stand near the tripod. Yesterday the Department of Livestock captured 10 bulls at the Duck Creek capture facility by using a combination of hay bait and hazing. Ms.Nackoney took her action to bring attention to this senseless slaughter and the state's zero tolerance policy toward migrating buffalo. This policy is a extreme step and not in line with Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). APHIS has stated its willingness to accept the presence of bison who pose a low risk for brucellosis transmission for up to 60 days prior to the return of cattle to the area. These low risk animals are defined as untested bulls, yearlings, calves and non-pregnant females. There are no cattle in the conflict zone west of the park until June. The presence of brucellosis exposed buffalo in the state is not cause for revocation of Montana's brucellosis free status under APHIS guidelines. In stating her reasons for taking this action Sue Nackoney stated "The DOL is deceiving everyone by saying they are managing a disease. The six bulls they slaughtered last week and the ten they have in their facility now, prove that. The winter habitat of the Yellowstone buffalo should be protected. They have a legitimate right to leave the park in search of food. I hold Governor Racicot personally responsible for the death of any of these ten buffalo and any that are killed in the future by the DOL. Governor Racicot could go a long way toward stopping this insanity and unjustified killing simply by ordering the Department of Livestock to adopt the APHIS guidelines. This insane slaughter must stop and we will continue to protest it to prevent a repeat of the massacre of 2 years ago. " "Why is the state of Montana so stubbornly insistent that they have a right to kill these buffalo? Every indication shows that the Montana livestock industry will not be hurt by allowing buffalo to enter the state, yet they continue their illogical practices of killing. The Department of Livestock should not be allowed to manage the Greater Yellowstone bison herd," said Buffalo Nations spokesperson Sue Nackoney. On Friday, January 8, the Department of Livestock killed 8 buffalo that it captured at its Duck Creek Capture facility. Three Buffalo Nations volunteers were arrested for non-violently attempting to stop the transport of the bison to the slaughterhouse. "Buffalo Nations will be here to stand with these buffalo until they are free to live on their winter habitat without being chased, captured, or killed. Until this happens, many of us feel in our hearts that non-violent direct action is the only way to stop this senseless tragedy," said Michael Bowersox, Buffalo Nations spokesperson. Buffalo Nations and the local community will be holding a continuing vigil for the captive buffalo at the base of Duck Creek Road on highway 191 (near intersection of rte 287) . Updates on the ongoing situation at Duck Creek are available by calling Mike Mease or Sarah Chalmers at (406)646-0070 Video and photographs are available upon request. -30- Buffalo Nations PO Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 phone 406-646-0071 fax buffalo@wildrockies.org Conf?