31 Johnson, Mark R. 1992 Varley, John D. Brewster, Wayne Broadbent, Sarah E. Evanoff, Renee Wolves for Yellowstone? A Report to the United States Congress Volume IV Research and Analysis Yellowstone National Park, WY National Park Service 71-92 278 wolves, Yellowstone National Park, brucella in wolves, brucellosis, animal studies, disease, gray wolf (Canis lupus), tuberculosis, wildlife health Brucellosis (Brucella spp.) and tuberculosis (Mycobacterium spp.) in wildlife are of concern due to their potential for being transmitted between wildlife, domestic livestock, and humans. Assessing the role of canids in the ecology of these 2 diseases can provide an understanding of how wild canids, such as red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), coyotes (Canis latrans), and wolves (Canis lupus), may participate in disease transmission and maintenance. In North America, B. abortus, B. suis, biovar 4, and B. canis have been identified in either domestic dogs (Canis domesticus) or wild canids. B. abortus primarily infects cattle and has been reported in dogs, foxes, coyotes, and wolves. Clinical illness due to B. abortus infections is rarely observed in canids. Coyotes can transmit B. abortus to cattle under experimental conditions, but similar transmission is unlikely in free-ranging conditions. B. suis, biovar 4 primarily infects caribou and reindeer and is limited to circumpolar regions. B. suis, biovar 4 has been reported in dogs foxes and wolves. Limited research has demonstrated that little or no clinical illness is produces in canids. Foxes can transmit B. suis, biovar 4 to reindeer under experimental conditions, but similar transmission is unlikely in free-ranging conditions. B. canis may cause reproductive disorders in domestic dogs. B. canis is rarely reported in wild canids. Free-ranging canids can be naturally infected with B. abortus, B. suis, biovar 4, and possibly B. canis. Previous investigations suggest wild canids generally do not become clinically ill due to Brucella infections. Wild canids can shed Brucella bacteria in feces if enough infected material is ingested, although the amount shed is normally much lower than the original amount ingested. Canids participate in the disease ecology of brucellosis as mechanical vectors, rather than biological vectors. The 3 principal types of tuberculosis affecting wildlife are M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, and M. avium complex. Tuberculosis in humans (M. tuberculosis) is increasing, as specially within the larger cities. Predominant reservoirs of M. bovis are captive exotic and North American wildlife especially in primate colonies, game farms, and zoological parks. Tuberculosis in wildlife is difficult to diagnose due to a lack of test methods validated for wildlife. Tuberculosis affects domestic dogs in a manner similar to that of other animals. Dogs with tuberculosis have been most commonly infected by humans or cattle. Foxes in fur farms can be infected with tuberculosis when fed meatscraps from infected cattle. Tuberculosis is rarely observed in free-ranging wildlife, including canids. A report of 2 wolves with tuberculosis from Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, is the only reported case of tuberculosis in wolves. Since canids can be infected with tuberculosis, occasional cases might be observed in canids closely associated with heavily infected ungulates. Wild canids apparently do not act as reservoirs of tuberculosis. Found in Bison Library and Yellowstone Research LibraryNatureBib ID: 32732