Noon - Anyone interested can observe this year's roundup and handling of bison from the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

 The roundup will be staged from the bison handling area three miles north of the I-94 Fryburg exit east of Medora.

The public can view the animals and the handling starting Thursday morning and possibly into Saturday.

Some 260 of the bison of the South Unit's 465 bison will be culled to bring the number in line with the park's space and grass. Most will go to the Three Affiliated Tribes' bison project, although 20 will be transferred to the Jamestown National Buffalo Museum.

The tribes will receive the bison under a one-year agreement that says park staff can make unannounced inspections of the animal's health and conditions.

 The tribes did not get bison from a roundup last year because of problems with death and injuries in the herd.

The park will use a helicopter to start moving the bison today.

Each animal will be weighed, aged and sexed to maintain the correct sex and age ratio for the remaining park herd. Blood samples will be taken from all animals to test for brucellosis. Additional serum and fecal samples will be taken from some animals to screen for Johne's disease. All bison will receive a microchip and an ear tag for later identification. 

The South Unit's herd was reestablished with 29 bison in 1956. Their reproductive success requires that the herd be rounded up every few years to reduce the herd size so the park is not overgrazed.