American Bison - Buffalo Field Campaign

Table 8.1 (continued)
Country/
State
Province
and protection of the Janos-Hildago bison herd is an example of
this rising conservation interest. Bison in this specific population are
protected by endangered species status under federal law. All other
bison in Mexico are privately owned and maintained on fenced
private property.
Animal
Classification
Wildlife Domestic
Mexico Yes Yes
Tribal
and First
Nations
Yes Yes
Over 93% of the bison in North America are privately owned and
managed for commercial production (Chapter 7). Bison can be kept
as domestic livestock in all of the U.S. These bison are privately
owned and typically managed for meat production or breeding. In
Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, where bison are regulated as
livestock, individuals in the private sector may own bison. In British
Columbia, bison may be produced commercially, but a game-
farming license is required. Commercial herds owned by individuals,
corporations, or NGOs are managed independently, subject to
market forces, and regulations governing animal health and trade.
In the Yukon and Northwest Territories, existing policy prevents the
establishment of plains bison ranches or their introduction into the
wild. There is no unified conservation effort or regulatory framework
that encourages or facilitates conservation of commercial bison as
wildlife at national, state or provincial levels. The “laundering” of wild
animals through captive-breeding operations and farms has not been
detected in Canada or the U.S
Protected and/or
Wildlife Status
Appeared as
extirpated in 1994;
In 2002 red-list
Janos bison
were listed as
endangered.
Varies by tribe or
First Nation; Most
tribes with strong
cultural histories
protect bison for
tribal use; The
Intertribal Bison
Cooperative has 57
member tribes that
are actively pursuing
bison management
for cultural and
commercial
interests.
Long Term
Conservation
Goal
Not officially,
however nongovernmental
conservation is
emerging and
proposing a
long-term vision
for conservation
preserves.
Yes, depending
upon tribal
conservation
programmes;
Some tribes
are developing
advanced game
codes and
sophisticated
species restoration
and management
plans.
Key Statutes or
Policies Affecting
Conservation
Secretaria de
Desarrollo Social,
1994-NOM-059-
ECOL-1994.
Secretaria de Medio
Ambiente y Recursos
Naturales-NOM-059-
ECOL-2001.
Varies but generally
determined by Tribal
Council and managed
by Tribal Fish and
Game Commissions;
Intertribal Bison
Cooperative was
formed to encourage
the restoration of
bison; Cultural
consideration is
primary driver for
legal and policy
considerations by
each tribe.
8.3.2 Disease status
Proposals
for
Restoration
Yes,
Developing
a National
Recovery
Plan.
Major Legislative
and/or Policy
Obstacles
Agriculture conflicts;
Lack of suitable
habitats: Small
properties available;
Economic and market
obstacles; Lack of
public interest: A
developing wildlife
conservation
programme; Varied
status of the
Janos bison at the
international border
with New Mexico
Early in the history of bison restoration, diseases were not considered
very important and restoration efforts proceeded with limited concern
for the transfer of pathogens. As a result of significant failures to
guard against disease transfer and control during translocation, bison
restoration projects today have to overcome some historic baggage.
With the development of an extensive and aggressive domestic
animal disease control programme in North America during the mid
to late 1900s, the implications of diseases to wildlife restoration
has increased (Friend 2006). Furthermore, with the successful
restoration of many wildlife species, and the subsequent increase in
their distribution, these same diseases are now very important to the
wildlife community (Wobeser 1994). Finally, increased globalisation
and the high mobility of society are increasing the likelihood of
pathogen transfer across continents, thereby increasing the vigilance
of disease control programmes (Friend 2006). As a result, efforts
to conduct bison restoration will have to consider the significance
of diseases in restoration projects. For a comprehensive review of
diseases significant to bison conservation, the reader should refer
to Chapter 5 of this document. Unfortunately, disease issues often
trump conservation interests, especially when the conservation
actions are likely to come in direct conflict with powerful agricultural
industries. This will necessitate the careful selection of source
American Bison: Status Survey and Conservation Guidelines 2010 73
Yes
Variability of
tribal government
structure and
function; Agriculture
conflicts; Variable
wildlife conservation
and management
infrastructure.