US approves bison grazing on Montana prairie amid criticism

A herd of bison move through land controlled by the American Prairie Reserve south of Malta, Montana (AP)

US officials have approved a conservation group’s proposal to expand bison grazing on prairies in north-central Montana as part of a vast nature reserve, despite objections from some ranchers and elected officials.

The decision allows the American Prairie group to graze bison on US Bureau of Land Management property and to remove about 30 miles of fences so the animals can roam more freely.