News Release

Theodore Roosevelt National Park to Conduct Strategic Bison and Horse Operations

Date: September 27, 2024

Contact:  Theodore Roosevelt National Park, [e-mail]

MEDORA, N.D. – Theodore Roosevelt National Park will soon begin operations to roundup bison and horses in the park and transfer them to Tribes or new homes. The park will transfer up to 200 bison and up to 15 horses to new homes as part of ongoing efforts to support healthy herds as well as park ecosystems.  

“The National Park Service has decades of experience with these types of roundups and has worked to incorporate low stress livestock handling techniques to ensure a safe operation while minimizing stress on the animals,” said Nancy Finley, acting superintendent at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. “Staff safety and the health and wellbeing of both bison and horses is our priority.”  

Bison roundups are needed to ensure the park’s bison population, which is contained within a fenced environment, is appropriately sized. The horse roundup will support the development of a proactive strategy for horse management to create a healthy viewable population at the park that is manageable and minimizes impacts to park resources.

Animal health is a priority for the bison and horse roundups. The timing of these roundups was selected because animals are in optimal health after a long grazing season and cooler temperatures cause less heat related stress during the movement of animals.  

Both roundups will use helicopters and are not open to the public to ensure both animal and public health and safety. The NPS has extensive experience using helicopters and aviation to support safe and effective animal captures and works with livestock veterinarians and subject matter experts to conduct these operations safety and humanely.   

Helicopter operations beginning October 5 will bring the roughly 400 bison into the North Unit corrals. Bison will be evaluated for general health, genetics, and population demographics (age, sex ratio, etc.). The NPS plans to transfer approximately 200 bison out of the park with Tribes receiving the bulk of the animals.  

Helicopter operations will continue in the park through October 18 to bring the roughly 200 horses into the South Unit corrals. Horses will also be evaluated for general health, genetics, and population demographics (age, sex ratio, etc.). A subset of horses will be fitted with GPS collars so the NPS can better understand their range and use of the park environment. The park intends to work with volunteers that have experience with the park’s management program and the handling of horses.  

A small number of mares that did not successfully respond to the contraception and their offspring (up to 15 total horses), will be proposed for donation to Tribes, nonprofits, or auctioned through the General Services Administration, using a process the park has previously used. The adoption process places animals with entities and individuals who agree to provide for their health, well-being, and longevity.  

The park is committed to sharing timely social media updates for those interested in the roundup progress. Updates will be posted on the park’s social media accounts throughout the process and when data collection for both roundups is complete.