More than 45,000 people registered for the United States National Park Service (NPS) volunteers shooting in the Grand Canyon Control the abundance of these animals.
The famous national park of the US state of Arizona is seeking 12 “qualified volunteers” to reduce the herd, which has caused environmental damage.
The incident is not being classified as “hunting” because hunting in national parks is banned in the United States.
But some environmentalists have warned that the move could set a dangerous precedent.
Registration opened on Monday and closed after 48 hours with 45,040 customers.
25 initial names will be selected. After being evaluated by park officials based on their skills, including shooting, 12 people will have the opportunity to kill a bison in an area of the park known as the North Rim.
As per NPS rules, volunteers are allowed to bring a support team.
A bison can weigh over 900 kilograms, but snipers must carry any carcass on foot, without motorized transport or the aid of pack animals.
The event will take place in rugged, rocky and sometimes icy areas at an altitude of 2,440 meters.
Overuse of Bison is causing harm – Photo: Lucy Nicholson / Reuters
Officials say the pilot program is necessary after the herd has grown rapidly to 600 bison in recent years. Hey NPS hopes to reduce North Rim resident herd by about 200 bisonNative American archaeological sites, to reduce soil erosion and water pollution.
Bison (also known as buffalo in the United States) roamed much of the continent, before being hunted until nearly their extinction in the 19th century. It is estimated that by the end of that century, 30 to 60 million bison had reduced to just 400.
But environmentalists say that there is little evidence that the Grand Canyon was one of these animal habitats.
According to historians, the northern rim herd was introduced into the region in the early 20th century after an unsuccessful attempt at cross-border bison and cattle.
