BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The state of Montana and federal officials have drafted new management options for bison at Yellowstone National Park that range from letting the population grow to more than 7,000 of the animals, to driving down their numbers below 3,000.

The alternatives were detailed in a U.S. Department of Interior notice issued Friday. The National Park Service and state of Montana are considering changes to a 2000 management agreement that has resulted in thousands of migrating bison being sent to slaughter.

The agreement was designed to prevent the disease brucellosis from spreading to livestock. Cattle numbers around the park have since declined.

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