The northern reaches of the Grand Canyon has been taken over by massive herds of bison, raising concerns of unsanitary conditions and destruction, Web Pro News reported.
As the animals graze in pristine meadows, trample vegetation, damage cliff dwellings and pollute water sources, National Park Services have been trying to figure out how to handle the massive gang of beefalo - a hybrid of cattle and buffalo.
"The animals defecate in lakes polluting water sources, have trampled into Mexican spotted owl territory, have turned lush meadows into nubs, and even knocked over walls at American Indian cliff dwellings below the North Rim of the Grand Canyon," WPN reported.
Residents around the area have been invited to help and share ideas on how to manage the roughly 300 bison in a way that rids them from the park and allows for a free-ranging population that can be hunted on nearby forest land, the Associated Press reported.
Three public meetings, scheduled for April 28 in Kanab, April 29 in Flagstaff, and April 30 in Phoenix, have been announced by federal and state officials. Online meetings have also been set up for convenience issues.
"It's the first step in a long process today," Grand Canyon Superintendent Dave Uberuaga said. "We're just trying to get it out there and get it on everybody's radar screens."
"While the Arizona Game and Fish Department was able to keep the number of bison around 100, their move to the Grand Canyon means that fewer are hunted because it is outlawed at the national park, said Carl Lutch, wildlife program manager for the department," the AP reported. "Permits to hunt bison range from about $360 for a yearling to nearly $1,100 for a bull bison for Arizona residents."
For the spring season that runs from January to June 15, twenty permits were issued.
Officials at Yellowstone, too, are considering an update to their bison management plan.
