Oh, Give me a home, where the buffalo roam...

...and the U.S. government doesn't slaughter them as soon as they leave the arbitrary boundaries of Yellowstone National Park. That's the goal of a lawsuit filed this week by conservation groups and individuals including:

WESTERN WATERSHEDS PROJECT
BUFFALO FIELD CAMPAIGN
TATANKA OYATE
GALLATIN WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION
NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS COUNCIL
THE YELLOWSTONE BUFFALO FOUNDATION

We're really keeping our fingers crossed on this one, since nowhere is the livestock industry stranglehold on wildlife more apparent and disgusting than here. The coalition has filed a prayer for relief asking the court to:

Direct the Forest Service and National Park Service to analyze new information and changed circumstances and how the agencies actions are harming and impairing distinct bison populations that exist in the Yellowstone ecosystem, and the ability of bison to naturally evolve and survive as an indigenous wildlife species.

Enjoin the Forest Service and National Park Service from participating in or permitting actions that would lead to the slaughter of wild bison on National Forest and Nation Park Service lands including trapping for transport to slaughter houses and quarantine.

(More info on the suit here.)

We've praised Buffalo Field Campaign before on this blog, because we admire their willingness to be on the front lines and document this horror show. If you can help them out with some funds, or some gear, please do. When an enviro group is asking for lamp oil, that's the real deal, folks.

Bless you, BFC, WWP, and others, for fighting so hard for what's right.

UPDATED: Western Watersheds Project has a new webpage devoted to Yellowstone Bison. Check it out!