For Immediate Release: June 4, 2003
Contact: Debra Croswell 541-966-2033

MISSION, Oregon -- In response to requests from Tribal members, landowners and the public, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is initiating a plan to capture some 30 bison that have been roaming the Poverty Flats area east of Pendleton for several weeks.

The bison were apparently abandoned by their owner and have been causing property damage and posing safety hazards to people in the area. The herd has been sighted on private property and Indian Trust land, and has been moving on and off the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

On June 2, the CTUIR Board of Trustees directed its staff to begin coordinating with landowners, the State of Oregon, and the US Bureau of Indian Affairs on a plan to contain the herd and reduce the safety, health and property hazards they pose. The action was also taken as an effort to protect the bison themselves, which have been illegally hunted in recent weeks.

The CTUIR has not committed to any long term responsibility for the bison herd and no decisions have been made about what will happen to the bison after they are captured. After the herd is contained and protected, and the safety, health and property hazards are addressed, the CTUIR will work with state, federal and tribal agencies to cooperatively determine the next course of action.

No Tribal, state or federal laws are in place that regulate the care, handling, protection or restriction of buffalo, and by legal definition the bison are not considered to be wildlife. Both federal and state laws treat them as domestic livestock.

Although seemingly abandoned at this point, they are in fact a person's private property, making it illegal for anyone to hunt or kill them. CTUIR staff members believe that up to 10 animals from the original herd may have been illegally shot and killed in recent weeks. State and Tribal officials agree that charges could be brought against anyone who harms the animals.

Because it is currently calving season, the containment effort may have to wait until later in June. Experts say the herd should not be disturbed when the cows are having their young due to their aggressive and protective nature during this time.

The CTUIR has been in contact with many of the area's landowners, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the owner of the land where the buffalo originally resided. All are supportive of the CTUIR's efforts to address the situation and have offered assistance. The CTUIR is also seeking expert assistance and advice from Indian tribes that manage bison herds.

Anyone with questions about the buffalo containment effort should contact the CTUIR Public Information Office at 541-966-2033.