CHINOOK, Mont. (AP) — A Montana judge has upheld a restraining order to block further relocations of wild bison in the state.
Judge John McKeon made his ruling Wednesday afternoon after a daylong hearing that challenged the state’s return of the animal to tribal lands in northern Montana.
More than 60 bison from Yellowstone National Park were relocated to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in March.
Half are slated to be transferred to the Fort Belknap Reservation, but property rights groups, ranchers and some state lawmakers are lined up in opposition.
They say bison could spread disease, knock down fences and eat hay meant for cattle.
The Havre Daily News reports that McKeon plans to take further action within 30 days. Until then, the bison transferred to Fort Peck are to stay there.
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Information from: Havre Daily News, http://www.havredailynews.com
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.