Yellowstone bison are America only continuously wild bison population, but face intensive management controversies about brucellosis, population control, and tribal hunting rights.
Yellowstone bison endure significant welfare impacts from management programs. Capture operations involving hazing, chasing, and physical handling cause acute stress. Bison that leave the park through natural migration are captured in facilities and slaughtered or held in poor conditions before slaughter. The brucellosis justification for intensive management is contested by scientists who note that bison-to-cattle transmission has never been documented under natural conditions. Tribal nations have treaty rights to hunt bison that are contested by state management. Individual bison welfare during capture, hazing, and holding operations varies significantly. A more enlightened approach would allow natural range expansion with appropriate livestock disease management alternatives.