BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) -- Federal officials say the last bison from a botched experiment to create new habitat for the species outside Yellowstone National park has been shot by state livestock agents.

Steve Merritt with the Montana Department of Livestock said the agency killed a young bull bison Thursday after the animal wandered about 8 miles north of the park.

Park spokesman Al Nash says the animal was one of 25 bison officials had hoped would winter on the Gallatin National Forest. Most of the others already had left the forest or were captured.

Yellowstone's 3,700 bison periodically migrate to lower elevations in Montana, only to be killed or turned back over fears they could spread the disease brucellosis. More than 500 have been captured so far this winter and now face possible slaughter.

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