Thirteen bison have died after being struck by a semi-truck on a Montana highway near Yellowstone National Park, authorities have confirmed. The incident occurred around 6.30pm on Wednesday on Highway 191, north of West Yellowstone.
The West Yellowstone Police Department stated that the truck hit a herd of bison, with some animals requiring euthanasia due to severe injuries. Initial reports suggested two other passenger vehicles were involved, but further investigation revealed they were secondary accidents, not directly hitting the bison.
The crash took place during a severe winter storm. Police noted that bison often gather near roads and snowmobile trails in winter for easier travel, putting them in the path of vehicles. They urged drivers to reduce speed and adjust to road conditions, emphasising that stopping distances are significantly reduced on snow and ice.
The Buffalo Field Campaign, a Montana wildlife advocacy group, reported that the victims were mothers and their yearlings. The group called for lower speed limits on that stretch of Highway 191, citing inevitable collisions with bison. Yellowstone National Park is the only place in the US where bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times, and its herd of around 5,450 bison is the largest on public land in the country.
