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Learn more about the arrival of the American bison to Arizona and their migration to the Grand Canyon National Park.
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Bison are popular amongst tourists at the Grand Canyon, but not so much with conservationists.

Environmental groups say the growing population of land mammals is stampeding over watering holes, vegetation, and other resources – a problem that has been going on for more than a decade.

Many people agree there are too many bison in the park, but agreeing on a solution hasn’t been so easy.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has come up with a plan to reduce the herds, which is stirring up some controversy.

The proposed plan is to kill hundreds of bison.

A real threat to the Grand Canyon

“Clearly the bison are having ecological impact on the park,” Craig McMullen, Flagstaff district regional supervisor for the Arizona Game and Fish Department told KNAU Arizona Public Radio. “That’s not something we’re happy about.”

The non-native animals descended from buffalos that were brought to northern Arizona and cross-bred with cattle in 1900s.

There were about 100 animals back then. Now there are 400 to 600 buffalos roaming the North Rim, more than twice the number the Park Service recommends.

There could be 800 Grand Canyon bison in three years and as many as 1,500 in a decade if nothing is done, according to the Park Service’s Environmental Assessment.

Park officials say the Bison herds damage the habitat for other species by adding to erosion, soil compaction and contaminating water sources while depleting park resources and archaeological sites.

“In a nutshell, we want to reduce the number of bison in the population as quickly as possible in the next 3 to 5 years to a level under 200 animals,” said Greg Holm, wildlife manager a Grand Canyon National Park told KNAU.

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‘Licensed hunters’

All kinds of hunting are prohibited at the Grand Canyon National Park, but, McMullen says the agency is willing to change that.

“We think the least expensive and most efficient and most expedient way to get that population down in a hurry is through the use of licensed hunters,” McMullen told KNAU.

The meat from the animals would be donated to tribes or food banks.

The proposal of hunting bison to combat the growing population is sparking intense debate.

Many believe the animals should be relocated to ranches or tribal lands instead of being “slaughtered.” 

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On the other hand, some people are on board with thinning the herd.

The Park Service could begin reducing the population by next fall.

Republic Staff Writer Ron Dungan contributed to this article. 

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