Deal allows bison to roam

Bison. Photo / Hawkes Bay Today

Bison from Yellowstone National Park will roam freely across 30,350ha in southern Montana where for years the animals were shipped to slaughter by the hundreds, under an agreement expected to be adopted this week.

The deal - involving five state and federal agencies and several American Indian tribes - still limits where bison can go during winter migrations.

Officials say those that moving beyond the newly opened habitat will continue to be shot to protect livestock against disease.