BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Wildlife groups suing for the return of a small bison herd from media mogul Ted Turner's ranch near Bozeman say Montana officials violated the public trust by entrusting the animals to the media mogul.
The animals were captured migrating from Yellowstone National Park. They are being held by Turner under a five-year agreement with the state until a permanent home is found.
The Gallatin Wildlife Association, Buffalo Field Campaign and other groups sued the state more than two years ago when it transferred the 86 bison. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/P8HnqL ) the groups filed court briefs this week alleging the animals have been privatized because Turner gets to keep 75 percent of all calves born.
State officials say the public trust has not been violated because bison are being preserved as a species.
Information from: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com
Source: Associated Press
Posted by Haylie Shipp
