Grand Canyon lottery to kill bison gathers 45,000 entries

Over 45,000 people have applied to cull bison in the Grand Canyon after the US National Park Service (NPS) requested volunteers to help with overpopulation.

The famed national park in Arizona is seeking 12 "skilled volunteers" to reduce the herd, which has grown large enough to cause environmental damage.

The event is not being classified as a "hunt", as hunting is forbidden in US national parks.

Some environmentalists have warned the move could set a dangerous precedent.

The lottery opened on Monday and closed after 48 hours with 45,040 applicants. 

An initial 25 names will be selected. After being vetted by park officials for skills including marksmanship, 12 people will be given the opportunity to kill a bison in the park's North Rim area.