Audio Clip
Officials Disagree Over Grand Canyon Bison Problem
USDA.gov
Many say the bison should be relocated outside park boundaries, where they can't harm protected wildlife, geology and archaeological sites.
A Senate committee passed a bill this week that would allow volunteers to hunt bison at the Grand Canyon. Park officials say the herd has grown too big.
National Park Service officials say something must be done to manage the bison herd — now estimated at 600. The animals have overgrazed and have drained already low water resources. But they’re not sure “lethal culling” — or hunting — is the answer.
The Park Service is in the middle of studying the options and say the environmental impact statement won’t be complete until early next year. But Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake say their solution wouldn’t cost taxpayers a cent, as Arizona hunters are eager to cull the animals themselves.
Another option would be to relocatethe animals. Last year, park officials called in bison experts to use what’s called a “soft handling” technique to move 19 of the animals several miles from the North Rim.
