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Badlands Bison Roundup canceled for 2008
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FarkINTERIOR -- An annual bison roundup at Badlands National Park has been canceled after officials determined the herd is well within the limits to be supported by resources at the park.
A park news release said an aerial survey of the Sage Creek Wilderness found that the buffalo population fell within the “established range capacity target levels.”
“We counted approximately 660 animals. This is well within the established carrying capacity of the park resources,” wildlife biologist Eddie Childers said in the release. “There is just no need to reduce the population at this time.”
The park has conducted an annual bison roundup to remove some bison from the population to maintain a balanced ecosystem.
One of the key factors in the decision was the amount of rain received in the Badlands this year. According to the news release, the park has received nearly 22 inches of precipitation this year and the rain has filled the 14 water impoundments, which is enough to sustain the bison population.
Officials said they believe there will be a roundup next year. However, that decision will be based on the same criteria as those that led to this year's cancellation: the bison population and environmental conditions in the park.
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