Bison Shot by State Officials, Left to Be Eaten by Scavangers

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A mature bull bison that roamed from a buffer area outside Yellowstone National Park north of Gardiner in southwestern Montana has been shot and killed by state officials.

The Billings Gazette reports that the bison was shot Friday after entering a no-tolerance zone where bison can be killed to protect people and property from injury and livestock from disease.

Officials say the bison went beyond a buffer zone where bison are free to roam when they leave the northern part of the park.

Christian McKay of the state Board of Livestock says the bison was in an area where it couldn't be recovered so it is being left to scavengers and predators.