Volunteers assist bison returning to Yellowstone National Park by constructing tunnels through the snow

West Yellowstone, Montana – This year, some bison returning to Yellowstone National Park are receiving some assistance.

The Montana Department of Transportation assisted the Buffalo Field Campaign volunteers in digging tunnels for the bison.

This winter, West Yellowstone has received more than five feet of snow, and road plows have produced enormous snow berms along Highway 191 that make bison movement extremely challenging.

19 bison have been hit and killed this winter on local highways, including 13 that perished in a semi-truck accident last December, according to the Buffalo Field Campaign.

The bison can now cross 191 rapidly by using the tunnels constructed out of the ground rather than walking along the road.

The herd’s preferred path back into the park has been carefully followed by the placement of the tunnels.