Bison in Yellowstone National Park are legally protected within the bounds of the park, but often stray beyond its boundaries. Outside the park they may be shot by ranchers who fear the bison will spread the disease brucellosis to their cattle. Locals and park officials have attempted to drive the buffalo back into the park, with limited success.
(Photograph shot on assignment for, but not published in, "The Return of the Gray Wolf," May 1998, National Geographic magazine)
(Text adapted from Earth Almanac, January 1998, National Geographic magazine)
