PK
Xy8{p p refs.MYDc : Unknown 1995 Brucellosis Study Begins 20 Yellowstone Science 3 4S animal studies
bison
brucellosis
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria Fall 1995 Greater Yellowstone's long controversy over brucellosis has entered a new phase, as a year-long pilot research project has begun to help managers better understand the nature of the disease in Yellowstone bison. The project is a cooperative effort of five federal and four state agencies, including three U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies (Animals Plant and Health Inspection Service, Agriculture Research Service, and Forest Service) two Department of the Interior Agencies (National Biological Service and National Park Service), two Montana state agencies (Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and Livestock) and two Idaho state agencies (Fish and Game and Agriculture). 5 ΰs for further research to address the challenges of b erd and the Jackson Bison Herd. There are small sections on habitat restoration, public education, and disease management. S http://www % $tthroat trout./ http://wildlife.utah Ѐthis surveillance are and sexes appear to ’s disease.' Found \at arose historically in C̀; k $ Ball, Orville P., and Oliver B. Cope 1961 Mortality Studies on Cutthroat Trout in Yellowstone Lake, U S Fish and Wildlife Service Research Reports, Yellowstone Lake Trout Studies 62p. USDOI U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service American white pelican
animal studies
ecology
fish eggs
fish
fishery
mortality
population dynamics
predators
spawning
trout
Oncorhynchusnidae
westslope cutthroat trout
wildlife health
Yellowstone Lake
general wildlife health studies
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos 1961 In a study of the Yellowstone cutthroat trout, Salmo clarki lewisi, by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, effects of environment on mortality of eggs, immature fish, spawners, and postspawners were measured for various components of the population in Yellowstone Lake. Five met D; Bangham, Ralph V. 1951T Parasites of Fish in the Upper Snake River Drainage and in Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming 213-217 Zoologica 36 3 New York Zoological Society animal studies
animals
checklist
fish
jackson hole
natural history
natural resource management
parasites
Snake River
trout
Oncorhynchusnidae
Westslope cutthroat trout
Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi
wildlife health
Yellowstone Lake
general wildlife health studies October 20, 1951 During July and part of August in the seasons of 1949 and 1950 a study was made of fish parasites in the Jackson Hole area and in Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming. In the two periods 2,535 fish belonging to 14 different species were examined and 2,351 or 92.3% carried at least one species s F;
Barmore, William 1968F Bison and Brucellosis in Yellowstone National Park: A Problem Analysis 73p. Yellowstone National Park, WY National Park Service animal studies
bison
brucellosis
disease
history
mammals
management
natural resource management
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
July, 1968z This report reviews past attitudes and programs relating to brucellosis control in the park, analyzes the present situation, and presents recommendations for the course of action we should take in the future. This report is not a comprehensive review of the epidemiology of brucellon G8; , Barrett, R.E.
D.E. Worley 1966R Incidence of Dictyocaulus sp. in Three Populations of Elk in South-central Montana 5-6, Bulletin of the Wildlife Disease Association Wildlife Disease Association animal studies
Dictyocaulus sp.
disease
elk
Cervus elaphus
lungworm
mammals
parasites
range
wildlife health
winter
lungworms of ruminants
dictyocaulosis
January, 1966- Although the elk is widely distributed in the northern Rocky Mountain region and is highly regarded as a game animal, little information is available on the incidence of internal parasites or on the relative significance of parasitism in elk herds maintained under varying range conditions. The months of December through February of 1964-65 afforded an excellent opportunity to survey the incidence of Dictyocaulus sp. from three isolated populations of elk from adjacent ranges in the Yellowstone, Gallatin, and Madison drainag G; l Barrows, Maynard B. 1939= Elimination of Yellow Perch from a Lake by Use of Derris Root 131-133 Journal of Wildlife Management 3 2 animal studies
ecology
environmental impact
extermination
fish
Goose Lake
habitat
lakes and ponds
management
natural resource management
poisons
population control
wildlife health
yellow perch
Perca flacescens
general wildlife health studies April, 1939 For a number of years officials of the National Park Service have realized that the Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) in Goose Lake of Yellowstone National Park were a potential threat to other waters which they might be either intentionally or accidentally transferred, and, further, that they were serving no good purpose as they were undersized and furnished little or no sport for fishermen. In 1936 a hydrographic survey of the lake and means of eliminating the perch were considered. It was decided that using derris root would be the best as aquatic vegetation would not be killed and insect life would suffer less than if chlorine or copper sulfate were used. This article describes how derris root was decided upon and the methods employed for carrying its use. http://w7 O\; Burger, John
John Anderson 1970R Association of the Face Fly, Musca autumnalis, with Bison in Western North America 635-639. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 63 3 Entomological Society of America animal studies
bison
ecology
flies
diptera
habitat
insects
arachnids
larvae
Musca autumnalis
parasites
population
wildlife health August 4, 1969 Musca autumnalis De Geer (Diptera: Muscidae) was noted as a pest of bison at the National Bison Range, Moiese, Montana, in 1966 and 1967, where flies occurred also around the eyes of deer, antelope, and horses. In 1967 adults were reared and the immature stages were collected from bison droppings obtained at the Range. Adults first were collected in 1967 from 4 widely scattered localities (from 6500 to 9245 ft.) and several different habitats within Yellowstone National Park in Montana and Wyoming. Flies also were reared from and seen on cattle and their droppings near Gardiner, Montana (5300 ft.), for the first time in 1967. In 1967, 9 range bison at the Range exhibited eye disorders, ranging from discoloration to eyeball eruption (blindness). Such eye problems had not previously been observed in these animals. The difficulties inherent in managing these animals make it impossible to deal with eye disorders in bison as it can be done with domesticated stock. the success of M. autumnalis in the absence of regular insecticide treatments of animals and its present and potential role as a pest of various big game animals in wildlife areas is discussed, as well as the prospect of reservoir populations of f x; 7 Burger, John
John Anderson 1974 Taxonomy and Life History of the Moose Fly, Haematobosca alcis, and Its Association with the Moose, Alces alces shirasi, in Yellowstone National Park 204-214. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 67 2 Entomological Society of America animal studies
Crystal Creek
ecology
flies
Diptera
Haematobosca alcis
insects
arachnids
Lamar River drainage
parasites
Pelican Creek
Shiras moose
Alces alces shirasi
wildlife healthn The moose fly, Haematobosca alcis (Snow) is abundant in Yellowstone National Park wherever its host Shiras' Moose occurs. Descriptions of the 2nd and 3rd instars, the puparium, and both sexes are given. H. alcis is similar morphologically to its European congener, H. stimulans, but can be distinguished particularly by size, biology and host preference. Except for the difference in host specificity, the biology of H. alcis is similar to that of Haemotobia irritans. The female oviposit in fresh moose droppings, depositing about 10 eggs each 0.5-3 min after a moose defecates. Development from egg to adult requires about 16 days at 21o C in the laboratory. Flies emerge from overwintered pupae in late spring (usually early June) and adults are active until late September. The haemotophagous adults are host specific for moose and remain with the host animal, except when females are ovipositing. Occasional specimens were attracted to horses when near moose habitat and one male attempte=o :`;
Cope, Oliver B. 1958F Incidence of External Parasites on Cutthroat Trout in Yellowstone Lake 95-100= Proceedings of the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters 35 Salt Lake City, UT Utah Academy Proceedings animal studies
behavior
copepods
Copepoda
fish
migration
parasites
sex
westslope cutthroat trout
Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi
wildlife health
Yellowstone Lake
general wildlife health studies 1958 The biological relations between fish and their parasites are the subjects of an increasing amount of study by zoologists and fisher biologists. Recent investigators have intensified their studies on parasites as a means of better understanding the biology of the host fish. Keleher (1952) and Bishop and Margolis (1955), for example, demonstrated the value of parasite occurrence and degree infestation in establishing differences between species or lower categories. Miller (1948) studied the biology of Triaenophorus in whitefish with a view toward control of the parasite. Other workers have studied fish parasites for other reasons, but in all cases it has been essential to have a thorough understanding of the incidence of the parasites as they relate to those of the hosts. The present study, dealing with two external parasites of the Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki lewisi) in Yellowstone Lake, does not feature separation of host populations or parasite control, but includes some other considerations of the parasiF ; Cope, Oliver B. 1961R Effects of DDT Spraying for Spruce Budworm on Fish in the Yellowstone River System 239-251 . Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 90 3 American Fisheries Society8 animal studies
aquatic sciences
brown trout
Oncorhynchus trutta
ddt
ecology
environmental impact
fish
habitats
integrated pest management (IPM)
Lamar River drainage
pesticides
poisons
rainbow trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
spruce budworm
Choristoneura fumiferana
wildlife health
miscellaneous disease
health issues
July, 1961 DDT was sprayed at 1 pound per acre from airplanes for the control of spruce budworm on 71,678 acres in the Yellowstone River drainage in 1957. Stream-bottom invertebrates were reduced in number immediately after the spray. Recovery to near-normal total numbers occurred within a year in most streams, but species composition was altered. Drift samples in one stream showed dead and dying invertebrates to be drifting in the current in great numbers. No mortality to fish was found. Chemical analyses showed that DDT up to 0.03 ppm was in several samples of water from streams. In one case a trace was found 55 miles downstream from the spray area. Vegetation samples contained up to 2.3 ppm of DDT. All of the 80 samples of mountain whitefish (Prosopium willia 2;
Cope, Oliver B. 19594 Two Parasites of Cutthroat Trout in Yellowstone Lake 4p. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service animal studies
fish
parasites
trout
Oncorhynchusnidae
westslope cutthroat trout
Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi
wildlife health
Yellowstone Lake
general wildlife health studiesl The cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake and its tributaries has seven known animal parasites (Bangham, 1951). Two of these are large external parasites which attract considerable attention from the fishermen. The average angler does not know the identities of these parasites, and is usually even less familiar with their life histories and relationships to their fish host. Many fishermen are so overcome with revulsion at the sight of the parasites on the fish that they discard the fish, rather than eat them. This habit is unfortunate, since we have no evidence to show that any damage is done to the fish by either parasite, that the quality or flavor of the flesh is altered as a result of the parasitism, or that any effects on humans come about through handling, or even eating, the parasites. One parasite is a leech, Piscicola salmositica Meyer, and the other is an undescribed fish louse, Salmincola sp. This paper discusses the life histories and biologies of the tow animals so that naturalists, r NW :;
& Dobson, Andrew
Meagher, Margaret Mary 1996G The Population Dynamics of Brucellosis in the Yellowstone National Park 1026-1036 Ecology 77 4 Ecological Society of America. animal studies
artiodactyla
Even-toed Ungulates
bacteria
biodiversity
bison
Bison bison
bovidae
bovids
brucellosis
disease
Mammalia
mammals
population
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
June, 1996| The role that pathogens play in structuring ecological communities needs to be examined from both a theoretical and empirical perspective. This paper provides a brief introduction to the ecology and epidemiology of brucellosis in Yellowstone National Park. Observed patterns of infection for brucellosis in bison in national parks in the United States suggest that Brucella has a relatively sharply defined threshold for establishment and that the proportion of the host population infected increases as a relatively simple function of population density. Unfortunately, the threshold population for Brucella establishment in bison is low, a herd of at least 200 individuals; this makes it very hard to eradicate Brucella from wild populations. Simple calculations based on observed prevalence and recruitment data for the Yellowstone bison herd suggest that unacceptably high levels of culling would be required to eradicate brucellosis in the park. A simple mathematical model is used to describe aspects of the population dynamics of Brucella. The analyses suggest that an understanding of infectious disease dynamics is crucial to the management and conservation of wild and domestic ungulate species in and around national parks and other nature reserves. The consequences of disease control for the maintenance of biodiversity in other natural and captive communities need to be better understood.6 http://www.jstor.org/view/00129658/di98g ; Edwards, Guy D. 1931* A Letter from Guy D. Edwards to G.C. Leach
G.C. Leach Washington, D. C. animal studies
cestoda (tapeworm subclass)
fish
invertebrates
parasites
trout (Oncorhynchusnidae)
wildlife health
worms
Yellowstone Lake
general wildlife health studies October 12, 1931 This is a letter from Guy D. Edwards (Acting Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park , 1931) to G. C. Leach (Division c
;
T Forrester, Donald J. 1961r The Biology of Protostrongylus stilesi, a Lungworm of the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis canadensis 16p. Missoula, MT Montana State University animal studies
bighorn sheep
Ovis canadensis
disease
larvae
lungworm
mammals
mortality
population
wildlife health
protostrongylosis o The proposed research will be a continuation of the present study of the biology of the bighorn sheep lungworms Protostrongylus stilesi and P. rushi and of their significance as a disease of the bighorn sheep. Apparently the larvae of the Protostrongylus stilesi and the P. rushi must complete a stage of development in a molluscan intermediate host before they can infect the bighorn sheep. One aspect of the research will be a study of the land mollusks on the bighorn sheep ranges in Montana. Collections will be made to determine the species present on the bighorn sheep ranges in Montana, and living mollusks will be examined to find out which species are naturally infected with Protostrongylus stilesi to determine if any of them are susceptible to infection. A detailed study of the distribution of land mollusks will be made on a study area located on a bighorn sheep range. Particular attention will be given to snails of the families Pupillidae and Valloniidae which appear to be the principal vectors of protostrogylin lungworms in other locations.
Field and laboratory studies of the survival of Protostrongylus stilesi larvae in bighorn sheep fecal pellets will be carried out at various temperatures under different humidity conditions. The data from these experiments will be compared with laboratory studies on the survival of larvae which have been removed from the pellets and suspended in either water or other test solutions or dried on glass slides or other surfaces. Larvae suspended in water or dried on slides will be exposed to ultraviolet radiation and to visible radiations to demonstrate the effect on the motility of larvae.
There are indications that prenatal infection of lambs may occur and this will be investigated by attempted experimental infection of pregnant e
E e; % Forrester, Donald J., Clyde M. Senger 1964: A Survey of Lungworm Infection in Bighorn Sheep of Montana 481-491 Journal of Wildlife Management 28 3 The Wildlife Society animal studies
bighorn sheep
Ovis canadensis
disease
lungworm
mammals
parasites
Protostrongylus stilesi
wildlife health
protostrongylosis
July, 1964I A survey of lungworm infection (Protostrongylus stilesi and P. rushi) in the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) of Montana was conducted from 1958 to 1963. Ninety-one percent of 900 fecal samples collected from 10 bighorn herds in western Montana contained protostrongylid larvae. Ninety-three percent of 143 lungs examined were infected with P. stilesi and 40 percent with both P. stilesi and P. rushi. No lungs contained only P. rushi. Total lesion area of P. stilesi infections averaged 2,332 mm2 and varied from 1 to 12,462 mm2. Numbers of adult P. rushi averaged 10 per infected lung and varied from 1 to 162. Sheep appeared to become infected during their first year of life. There seemed to be some association between infections of P. stilesi and P. rushi in lungs and the numbers of first-stage protostrongylid larvae in the feces when samples were compared on a herd basis. Numbers of first-stage larvae in individual fecal droppings from the same samples, in samples collected daily from the same animal, and in samples collected monthly from a herd of bighorns varied considerably. Feces collected during the spring contained more larvae than samples collected at other times of the year. Yearly variation in intensity of infection appeared to be directly correlated to the amount of precipitation in the preceding year.Z http://links.jstor.org/sici?sic.
hl; L g Gese, Eric M.
Ronald D. Schultz
Mark R. Johnson
Elizabeth S. Williams
Robert L. Crabtree
Robert L. Ruff 1997m Serological Survey for Diseases in Free-ranging Coyotes (Canis latrans) in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 47-56 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 33 1 Wildlife Disease Association^ animal studies
canine distemper virus
canine parvovirus
coyote (Canis latrans)
wildlife health
January, 1997 From October 1989 to June 1993, we captured and sampled 110 coyotes (Canis latrans) for various diseases in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (USA). Prevalence of antibodies against canine parvovirus (CPV) was 100% for adults (>24 months old), 100% for yearlings (12 to 24 months old), and 100% for old pups (4 to 12 months old); 0% of the young pups (<3 months old) had antibodies against CPV. Presence of antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV) was associated with the age of the coyote, with 88%, 54%, 23%, and 0% prevalence among adults, yearlings, old pups, and young pups, respectively. Prevalence of CDV antibodies declined over time from 100% in 1989 to 33% in 1992. The prevalence of canine infectious hepatitis (ICH) virus antibodies was 97%, 82%, 54%, and 33%, for adults, yearlings, old pups and young pups, respectively. The percentage of coyotes with ICH virus antibodies also declined over time from a high of 100% in 1989 to 31% in 1992 and 42% in 1993. Prevalence of antibodies against Yersinia pestis was 86%, 33%, 80%, and 7% for adults, yearlings, old pups, and young pups respectively, and changed over time from 57% in 1991 to 0% in 1993. The prevalence of antibodies against Francisella tularensis was 21%, 17%, 10%, and 20%, for adults, yearlings, old pups, and young pups, respectively. No coyotes had serologic evidence of exposure to brucellosis, either Brucella abortus or Brucella canis. No coyotes were seropositive to Leptospira interrogans (serovars canicola, hardjo, and icterohemorrhagiae). Prevalence of antibodies against L. interrogans serovar pomona was 7%, 0%, 0%, and 9%, for adults, yearlings, old pups and young pups, respectively. Antibodies against L. interrogans serovar grippotyphosa were present in 17% of adults and 0% of yearlings, old pups, and young pups. Many infectious canine pathogens (CPV, CDV, ICH virus) are prevalent in coyotes in Yellowstone National Park, with CPV influencing coyote pup survival during the first 3 months of life; eight of 21 transmitted pups died of CPV infection in 1992. The potential impact of these canine pathogens on wolves (C. lupus) reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park remains to be documented./ http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgiK ּ;
Greer, Kenneth R. 1977E Grizzly Bear Mortality and Management Programs in Montana during 1976 20p.- Job Progress Report: Research Project Segment# Montana Department of Fish and GameY trichinellosis in bears
trichinellosis
grizzly bear
management
mortality
wildlife health October 13, 1977B The 1976 Montana grizzly bear season was subject to a Federal ruling under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 that limited the annual mortality to 25 grizzlies from the northwest Montana populations and only permitted the Fish and Game Commission to set a season; the Federal rule prohibited the Fish and Game Commission from setting a season in the south central Montana grizzly populations. The 23 grizzlies killed in northwest Montana included 12 by nonhunting and 11 by hunting. A total of 513 licenses were issued. Hunter killed their grizzly in 6 of 11 adjacent districts that cover 6,114 square miles. Trichinella was present in 61 percent of 18 grizzlies and 5 percent of 44 black bears. Seven grizzlies were radio-collared for cooperative studies with the Interm ; o Greer, Kenneth R. 1972- Grizzly Bear Mortality and Studies in Montana 53-66 Bears - Their Biology and Management: Papers and Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Bear Research and Management Herrero, S. Calgary, Alberta, CanadaD International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources animal studies
distribution
grizzly bear (Ursus arctos)
hunting
laws and legislation
mammals
mortality
parasites
wildlife health
trichinellosis in bears
trichinellosis 6-9 November, 1970 From a study of the former and present status of grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) mortality in Montana, including areas immediately adjacent to Yellowstone. Internal parasites recovered from carcasses included porkworm larvae (Trichinella spiralis), large roundworms (Baylisascaris transfuga), tapeworms (# ;
Hall, Maurice C. 1930Q Report on Parasites of Pelican and Trout Investigations at Yellowstone Lake, 1930 9p.q U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service; Bureau of Animal Industry, U.S. Department of Agriculture American white pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
animal studies
birds
cestoda
tapeworm subclass
Dibothrium cordiceps
ecology
feeding
fish
food
invertebrates
nematoda
nutrition
parasites
stomach contents
wildlife health
Yellowstone Lake August 8, 1930I In the spring of 1930 park administrators were grappling with a tapeworm infestation in trout of Yellowstone Lake, as associated with diminished supplies of eggs from the trout. As all available evidence points to the larval tapeworm in the trout as the same species as the adult tapeworm, Dibothrium cordiceps, in the small intestine of the peI
;
Heckmann, Richard 1970q Comparative Morphology and Host-parasite Studies of Trichophyra Clarki (N. Sp.) on Cutthroat Trout (Salmo Clarki) 78 Bozeman, MT Montana State University animal studies
blood
cutthroat trout
Oncorhynchus clarki
fish
parasites
protozoa
Trichophyra
Trichophyra clarki on cutthroat trout
wildlife health
Yellowstone Lake March, 1970v The host-parasite relationship was studied for two new species of Trichophyra in Yellowstone Lake fishes. T. clarki and T. catostomi, parasitic in cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki lewisi) and longnose suckers (Cataostomus catostomus) respectiveley, were differentiatated by; mensural data, host specificity, morphology and electron microscopy. T. clarki is larger (80.7 versus 43.6 microns average length) and has more microtubules within the tentacles (85 and 111 versus 57 and 62 outer and inner rings) than T. catostomi. Auxiliary tentacles are present in 95% of T. catostomi and 35% of T. clarki. All cutthroat trout 14 cm in total length and 50% of the adult longnose suckers from Yellowstone Lake were infected with trichophyrans. No suctorians were found in fry or fingerlings. Trichophyra was also found in the gills of brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). Light microscopy disclosed extensive pathology of gill epithelium in longnose suckers due to T. catostomi but no damage was observed for T. clarki. Electron microscopy shows damage to host gill cells by both parasites which probably is related to the respiratory activity of the host. Both parasites form attachment helices, which originate in the protozoan cell membrane, and function for maintenance of parasite position on the host cell. There was no uptake of 14C, patent experimental infection or specific antibodies by T. clarki. A prepared trichophyran antigen generated antibody formation by injected fish. T. catostomi may use necrotic gill tissue for food and there may be use of mucous by T. clarki. Statistical differences were observed between hatchery and wild cutthroat trout for nonprotein nitrogen and oxyhemoglobin. There was no significant differences between experimental (infected) and control hatchery fish. There was sexual differences (40% male and 37% female) for hematocrits of wild trout. During the summer of 1968, 137 cutthroat trout from Yellowstone Lake were examined for parasites. The survey disclosed two new rec ; k Heckmann, Richard 1970R Protozoan Parasites of Yellowstone Lake Fishes, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 22 Journal of Protozoology 17 animal studies
blood
disease
fish
fish scales
longnose sucker
Catostomus catostomus
parasites
protozoa
sex
size
weight
westslope cutthroat trout
Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi
wildlife health
haemogregarina in fish During the summer of 1968, 137 cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki lewisi) from Yellowstone Lake were examined for parasites. The survey yielded two new records for protozoans inhabiting the gills and the blood of this species. The gill parasite was present in all fish examined; the blood protozoan was present in only one specimen. The following summer, the same gill protozoan was present in all adult cutthroat trout, and in 12 of 20 longnose suckers, but was absent from 35 red-side shiners examined. Gills of the cutthroat trout take
D; Heckmann, Richard 1971J Blood Parasitism of Some Fishes from Montana and Yellowstone National Park 3-4 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 7 1 The Wildlife Society animal studies
blood
disease
fish
Haemogregarina sp.
parasites
Pelican Creek
westslope cutthroat trout
Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi
wildlife health
haemogregarina in fish
January, 1971 Blood samples from 498 fish, representing 18 species were taken during 1968 and 1969. These specimens were obtained from 14 locations in Montana and Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Only one of the 259 cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki lewisi), from Pelican Creek, Yellowstone National Park, and one of 39 mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni), from the Madison River (Bear Trap Access), Mo# u; k Heckmann, Richard 1971; Parasites of Cutthroat Trout from Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming 103-106 Progressive Fish-culturist animal studies
blood
disease
fish
fish scales
longnose sucker
Catostomus catostomus
parasites
protozoa
sex
size
weight
westslope cutthroat trout
Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi
wildlife health
haemogregarina in fish April, 1971 During the summer of 1968, 137 cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki lewisi) from Yellowstone Lake were examined for parasites. The survey yielded two new records for protozoans inhabiting the gills and the blood of this species. The gill parasite was present in all fish examined; the blood protozoan was present in only one specimen. The following summer, the same gill protozoan was present in all adult cutthroat trout, and in 12 of 20 longnose suckers, but was absent from 35 red-side shiners examined. Gills of the cutthroat trout taken from the Yellowstone River, below the UppPO ; m Heckmann, Richard 1994 Cutthroats and Parasites 2-7 Yellowstone Science 2 3+ Greater Yellowstone Science Learning Center animal studies
cutthroat trout
Oncorhynchus clarki
fish
parasites
wildlife health
Yellowstone cutthroat trout
Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri
Yellowstone lake
Diphyllobothrium in fish Many cutthroat trout are unnecessarily discarded each year in Yellowstone National Park due to the unsightly infections of parasites such as the cestode larvae (tapeworms). Cutthroat trout caught from Yellowstone Lake have ended up in trash cans or thrown into the trees due to parasites, especially the tapeworms. Until bearproof trash cans were installed, park bears had many free meals because fishermen were fearful of the effects of eating trout with such visible parasites. Recent "catch and release" policies for the trout in Yellowstone Lake have helped to alleviate the waste of fish.
Since 1891, when Linton published two papers pertaining to tapeworms he had observed in trout from Yellowstone Lake, there have been many articles published about this host and its "close companions." Larval tapeworms (Diphyllobothrium) present in most trout more than six inches in length, have been of great concern to many fishermen. The most current list (see table on page 5) includes 18 different species of parasites of the Yellowstone Lake cutthroat trout. This does not include bacteria and viruses that may be present. In 1964 it was estimated that 75 perce u; Heckmann, Richard, H.L. Ching 1987{ Parasites of the Cutthroat Trout, Salmo clarki, and Longnose Suckers, Catostomus catostomus, from Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming 259-275 Great Basin Naturalist 47 2 Brigham Young Universityt animal studies
blood
cutthroat trout
Oncorhynchus clarki
Diphyllobothrium dendriticum
Diphyllobothrium ditremum
Diplostomum baeri
Diplostomum spathaceum
disease
fish
fish scales
Ligula
longnose sucker
Catostomus catostomus
Myxosoma
parasites
Posthodiplostomum minimum
protozoa
sex
size
Trichophrya catostomi
weight
wildlife health
Yellowstone Lake
Diphyllobothrium in fish April, 1987 Twenty-five cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki) and eight longnose suckers (Catostomus catostomus) from Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming, were collected and examined for parasites in 1985. Cutthroat trout had at least six different species of parasites that included both protozoans and helminths. The greatest number of parasite species on one fish was nine. Parasites added to the known list for cutthroat trout from Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming, were: Myxosoma sp., Diphyllobothrium ditremum, Diphyllobothrium dendriticum, Diplostomum baeri, and Posthodiplostomum minimum. These data were compared ; P " Honess, Ralph F.
Kenneth B. Winter 1956 Diseases of Wildlife in Wyoming 279p. Bulletin no. 9 Cheyenne, WY Wyoming Game and Fish Commissionp animal studies
animals
birds
checklist
disease
mammals
parasites
wildlife health
general wildlife health studies" Various diseases and parasites of the wild animal have generally been studied in relation to the possible transmission and subsequent effect of either man or his domestic animals, rather than for the benefit of wildlife itself. More recent investigations by conservation agencies have shown that diseases and parasites are a decimating factor affecting a ဆ; Honess, Ralph F.
Nedward Frost 1942 A Wyoming Bighorn Sheep Study 127p. Bulletin no. 1 Cheyenne, WY Wyoming Game and Fish Department animal studies
animals
bighorn sheep
Ovis canadensis
ecology
Gros Ventre Mountains, WY
inventory and monitoring
mammals
ungulates
wildlife health
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
general wildlife health studies
The information presented here has been collected as part of a s ,;
Howe, Duane 1967& Etiology of Pneumonia in Bighorn Sheep 9p. Wyoming Game and Fish Commission animal studies
animals
bighorn sheep
Ovis canadensis
disease
mammals
parasites
ungulates
wildlife health
pneumonia
pneumoni+ 〄; Irby, Lynn, James Knight 1997H International Symposium on Bison Ecology and Management in North America 395p. Bozeman, MT Montana State Universityk bison
bison history
bison management
bison physiology
disease
ecology
genetics
paleontology
wildlife health 1998l In June 1997, a distinguished group of scientists, researchers, scholars and specialists convened in Bozeman, MT to discuss the impact of an important and highly publicized issue in wildlife management: the future of the bison in North America. The facts are these: Bison restoration efforts in North America have produced hundreds of public and private herds scattered over much of the former range of the species. Society recognizes the bison as a symbol of indigenous cultures; a reminder of US, Canadian, and Eurasian history; a key species in native North American prairie ecosystems; and a species with potential for economic exploitation. These proceedings provide papers and abstracts on the broad array of interest related to bison in North America. Categories includ @;
Kaeding, Lynn 1981x Observations on Eustrongylides sp. Infection of Brown and Rainbow Trout in the Firehole River, Yellowstone National Park 98-1019 Proceedings of the Helminthological Society of Washington 48 1& Helminthological Society of Washington animal studies
brown trout
Oncorhynchus trutta
ecology
Eustrongylides tubifex
Firehole River
fish
invertebrates
nematoda
parasites
rainbow trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
trout
Oncorhynchusnidae
wildlife health
worms
January, 1981w The author encountered a conspicuous Eustrongylides infection of trout while investigating the diets of fish from the Firehole River of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. These worms, tentatively identified as larvae of Eustrongylides tubifex were encysted intraperitoneal in fibrous capsules similar to those described by Paperna (1974, J. Fish. Biol. 6:67-76). Representative specimens have been deposited in the National ParW <; Kaeding, Lynn
Calvin Kaya 1978 Growth and Diets of Trout from Contrasting Environments in a Geothermally Heated Stream: The Firehole River of Yellowstone National Park 432-438. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 107 3+ animal studies
brown trout
Oncorhynchus trutta
ecology
feeding
Firehole River
fish
food
growth
habitats
nutrition
rainbow trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
rivers and streams
size
stomach contents
thermal streams
trout
Oncorhynchusnidae
water temperature
wildlife health
miscellaneous disease
health issues Differences in seasonal patterns of growth, length at age, and diet were evident between brown trout (Salmo trutta) residing in geothermally heated and unheated sections of the Firehole River. Maximum temperatures at the warmest station exceeded 280C and averaged about 10.50C higher than the unheated station throughout the year. Scale characteristics indicated that brown trout from the heated stations had two annual growth periods while those from the unheated station had one, relatively short, annual growth period. Brown trout from the heated stations were significantly longer at any particular age than those from the unheated station. Caddis flies were the numerically dominant food in the unheated water, while trout at the heated station fed most extensively on dipterans, molluscs, and mayflies. Additionally, trout in the unheated water fed almost entirely on immature benthic insects, while those at the h T;!
Kaeding, Lynn, Et Al. 1995m Fishery and Aquatic Management Program in Yellowstone National Park: Annual Project Technical Report for 1994 38p. Yellowstone National Park0 National Park Service: Yellowstone National Park: animal studies
annual report
boats
chemistry
creel census
ecology
electrofishing
exotic species
fish
fishery
fishing
genetics
grayling
Thymallus arcticus
habi+ h;" Kaya, Calvin
Lynn Kaeding 1980_ Effects of Geothermal Effluents on the Fishery of the Firehole River, Yellowstone National Park 132-140Q Proceedings of the Second Conference on Scientific Research in the National Parks+ animal studies
brown trout
Oncorhynchus trutta
ecology
Firehole River
fish
geothermal activity
habitats
rainbow trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
rivers and streams
thermal streams
trout
Oncorhynchusnidae
water temperature
wildlife health
geothermal effects on wildlife
miscellaneous disease
health issues Between the mid-1950s and 1969, significant though previously unexplained changes occurred in the relative abundance of brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) in the fisherman catch from the Firehole River. Results of our study indicate that these changes reflected an alteration in the relative abundance of these trout in the geotherm P;~ k Smith, Bruce L. 2001. Winter Feeding of Elk in Western North America 173-190" The Journal of Wildlife Management 65 2 Allen Press agriculture
Cervus elaphus
economics
elk
disease
feeding
feedgrounds
growth
habitat
management
population
wildlife health
epizootic
miscellaneous disease
health issues April, 20019 Winter feeding of elk (Cervus elaphus) is a topic that has engendered a great deal of debate among wildlife biologists, policy makers, and the general public. The first institutional feeding of elk in North America occurred inJackson Hole, Wyoming, where several thousand elk are still fed during most winters at the National Elk Refuge. Winter feeding of elk is employed on an annual basis by state agencies in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. During 1995-99, an average 31,000 elk were fed in those 5 states at a cost of $1.6 million. Most feeding programs originated due to conflicts between elk and agricultural uses of historic elk winter range. Wildlife managers generally resorted to feeding to reduce damage by elk to crops, and to provide economic benefits of maintaining more elk than diminished winter habitat could sustain. Several negative consequences result from feeding elk. These include (1) the monetary costs of feeding, which divert dollars from other resource programs; (2) excessive herbivory that alters plant community structure and consequently affects the value of habitats near elk feedgrounds to other wildlife species; (3) changes in elk behavior that are of both spatial and philosophical significance; (4) diseases, which are more readily transmitted among densely concentrated animals, threaten the welfare of elk and other species, and shape resource management; and (5) public perceptions that may lead to the devaluing of habitat. These consequences argue for a shift from a production-consumption model of elk management toward management that embraces conservation of all species, maintenance of ecosystem functions, and sustainability of resources. I suggest proactive alternatives to winter feeding, which may avert conflict situations that precipitate publ ;$ m Rush, William
F. LaNoue
H. Marsh 1933< Bang's Disease in the Yellowstone National Park Buffalo Herd 5p. Yellowstone National Park Service animal studies
bacteria
bison (Bison bison)
Brucella abortus
brucella
brucellosis
disease
mammals
mortality
population
wildlife health 1991-1993 The data in this report is to supplement that which was gathered by W.M. Rush in December 1931, and which is in his report of January 1932, entitled "Bang's Disease in the Yellowstone National Park Buffalo Herd." During the buffalo slaughter in December 1932, 202 animals were killed. Blood samples were |;% j Linton, Edwin E. 1891u A Contribution to the Life History of Dibothrium cordiceps, Leidy, a Parasite Infesting the Trout of Yellowstone Lake 337-358$ Bulletin of the U.S. Fish Commission 9 U.S. Fish Commission anatomy
animal studies
Dibothrium cordiceps
fish
nutrition
parasites
physiology
rainbow tr ;& Linton, Edwin E. 1891E On Two Species of Larval Dibothria from the Yellowstone National Park 65-79$ Bulletin of the U.S. Fish Commission 9 U S Fish Commission Government Printing Office anatomy
animal studies
Dibothriocephalus cordiceps
fish
habitats
nutrition
parasites
physiology
rainbow trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
stomach contents
suckers
tissue
wildlife health
Dibothrium cordiceps As written by Edwin Linton: "In December, 1889, I received an interesting lot of entozoa, collected in the Yellowstone National Park by Dr. David S. Jordan of Bloomington, Ind., chiefly during October 1889. The collection submitted to me for examination consists of two trout (Salmo mykiss), with viscera of three others four suckers (Catotomus ardens J. & G.), and a few large Ligula that had been removed from the abdominal cavity of the latter host. The trout were obtained in the Yellowstone River just below the lake, while the suckers were from Witch Creek, a hot tributary of He/ ;' Linton, Edwin E. 1935" Reminiscences of a Helminthologist 74-97 Biologist 16 2x animal studies
ecology
fish
habitats
history
lakes and ponds
native species
parasites
rivers and streams
wildlife health In this issue of The Biologist, the author recounts a study from the summer of 1890 of which he was part, surveying the lakes and streams of Yellowstone National Park, particularly of the plateau region above the fall line. The author discusses the species discovered, waters absent of fish ("no fish in the lakes and streams of 8
W ;( F Linton, Edwin E. 1893. On Fish Entozoa from Yellowstone National Park 545-564F Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries for 1889 to 1891 Washington, D.C. Government Printing Office animal studies
chub
Dacnitis globosa
Dibothrium cordiceps
Distomum laureatum
Echinorhynchus globosus
fish
parasites
rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
suckers
trout (Oncorhynchusnidae)
wildlife health This paper makes the third which the author has prepared for the U.S. Fish Commission on entozoa collected in the Yellowstone National Park. The first of these papers contained a report on two species of larval cestodes, Ligula catostomi from the sucker (Catostomus ardens), and Dibothrium cordiceps from the trout (Salmo mykiss), collected by Dr. David S. Jordan in September and October, 1889. The second paper was a special report on the life history of Dibothrium cordiceps, being the result of the author's investigations, in July and August, 1890, into the cause of the excessive parasitism among the trout of Yellowstone Lake. The present paper contains descriptions of other fish entozoa which were obtained incidental to the inquiry into the life history of D. cordiceps.
Aside from the trout parasite (D. cordiceps), perhaps the most interesting form encountered was the monbothrium from the sucker; this appears to be an undescribed species, and I have given it the name Monobothrium terebrans, from its habit of boring a pit in the mucous membrane of its host. I have thought it best also to give a brief account of the anatomy of this singular worm. Some additional notes on the ligula of the sucker have been given. These are based on observations made in July, 1890. That part of the report which relates to the nematodes is necessarily imperfect, owing to the fact that, with the exception of the species Dacnitis globosa from the trout, the specimens were all immature and for the most part few in number.
The author has prepared this report for the U.S. Fish Commission on entozoa collected in the Yellows , ;) ! Mahony, Daniel L., Crystal Hudson 2000d Distribution of Myxobolus cerebralis in Yellowstone cutthroat trout from the Yellowstone Lake Basin. 260p.@ Wild Trout VII: Management in the New Millennium ;*
Marnell, Leo F. 1966f The Tapeworm Dibothriocephalus cordiceps - Its Significance as a Parasite on Trout of Yellowstone Lake 7p. Yellowstone National Park animal studies
cestoda (tapeworm subclass)
Dibothriocephalus cordiceps
ecology
fish
habitats
invertebrates
lakes and ponds
parasites
westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi)
wildlife health
Yellowstone Lake It has been known for 95 years that Yellowstone Lake cutthroat trout are infected by the fish tapeworm Dibothriocephalus cordiceps. Relative to the recreational significance of the Yellowstone fishery and the great amount of biological research that has been done at the Lake, knowledge about the life history and ecology of this parasite is remarkably incomplete. This paper is a summarization of the investigations, observations, and reports specifically concerned with the inception of tapeworm investigations at Yellowstone Lake in the late 1800's. Further research i* ;+ Marnell, Leo F. 1971N Long-range Management Plan for the Aquatic Resources of Yosemite National Park National Park Service aquatic
fish
fishing
lakes and ponds
management
native species
plan
rare species
restoration
rivers and streams
salmonids
stocking (fish)
threatened and endangered species
wildlife health
general wildlife health studies October 1, 1971i This document is a follow-up to Orthello L. Wallis's "A comprehensive review of trout fishery problems in Yosemite National Park." This document is a guide to bring Yosemite's aquatic program into closer harmony with the National Park Service's management of natural resources. Topics addressed in the document include management policies, aquatic environments, native species, rare and endangered species, 6W d;, Marnell, Leo F. 1978? Aquatic Studies in Glacier National Park [1977 Progress Report] 26-273 1977 Annual Research Summary, Glacier National Park McArthur, Katherine L. Glacier National Park National Park ServiceZ aquatic
aquatic sciences
natural resources
wildlife health
general wildlife health studiesm This ;- Marsh, Hadleigh 1938) Pneumonia in Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep 214-219 Journal of Mammalogy 19 2} animal studies
bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)
disease
mammals
mortality
wildlife health
miscellaneous disease
health issues+ For the past 13 years, reports have come to the Montana veterinary laboratories in Helena and Bozeman of disease losses in the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. The first investigation to determine the cause of the losses was made in 1924 in the Sun River Game Preserve, and since that time several investigations have been made in that region and in Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and the National Bison Range. The work has been done by the Montana Livestock Sanitary Board and the Montana Veterinary Research Laboratory, in cooperation with the U. S. Bureau of Animal Industry, the National Park Service, U. S. Forest Service, and the Montana Fish and Game Commission. Recently in an independent study of the bighorn losses in Glacier National Park has been made by Wildlife Technician R. M. Bond, of the National Park Service, in which the Montana Veterinary Research Laboratory participated in a consulting capacity. These investigations show that the losses have been caused by respiratory diseases of two types. The condition that has been the most prevalent has been somewhat chronic pneumonia that has caused death principally in mature sheep. The second type of disease has been observed on the National Bison Range ;. Marsh, Hadleigh 1927W Report of Investigation of Losses in Bighorn Sheep in Glacier Park, January 11-17, 1927 6p.m animal studies
bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)
mortality
wildlife health
miscellaneous disease
heal ̄;/
Mcbee, Richard 1964F Rumen Physiology and Parasitology of the Northern Yellowstone Elk Herd 28p.% Montana State University, Bozeman, MTE Department of Botany and Bacteriology and the Veterinary Research Lab anatomy
animal studies
bacteria
blood
disease
elk (Cervus elaphus)
fecal bacteria
mammals
mortality
parasites
physiology
population
urine
weight
wildlife health
general wildlife health studies
June 24, 1964 The investigations outlined in this report were begun in January of 1962. The first phase was concerned primarily with the rate of fermentation in the elk rumen from that time until June of 1962. This data was presented in our first report. These studies were continued through the summer of 1963. In addition the culturing of the rumen contents to determine the predominating types of bacteria was started in January, 1963, and carried through the summer of 1963. The principle types of rumen ciliate protozoa from the elk have also been established for this same period. This work had bee ;0
Mcbee, Richard, David Worley 19627 Physiology and Parasitology of the Yellowstone Park Elk 17p. Bozeman, MT Montana State University anatomy
animal studies
blood
elk (Cervus elaphus)
mammals
parasites
physiology
population
population control
urine
wildlife health
winter
general wildlife health studies January-June, 1962 The major elk reduction program in Yellowstone National Park during the winter of 1961-62 led to a request from Montana State College for support of a study on the elk emphasizing physiology, anatomy and parasitology of these animals. The National Park Service responded by granting $5,000 for this project and helped to make it more extensive by killing approximately five elk a week for scientific purposes fG# ,;1 k ) Mcbee, Richard
John Johnson
Marvin Bryant 1969 Ruminal Microorganisms from Elk 181-186 Journal of Wildlife Management 33 1 animal studies
bacteria
elk(Cervus elaphus)
environment
food
mammals
microorganisms
nutrition
stomach contents
wildlife health
general wildlife health studies
January, 1969 The rumen content from four Yellowstone Park elk (Cervus canadensis), killed in the winter of 1962-63, was examined by microscope and culture methods for the numbers and kinds of bacteria and protozoa present. The rate of volatile fatty acid production was determined by the zero-time method. Total bacterial counts were similar to those of other ruminants. The incidence of various bacterial genera was similar to that of cattle on poor hay. The oligotrich protozoans were species also found in cattle. Fermentation rates were probably less than required for maintenance. Field laboratory equipment will permit studies o*c \;2
Meagher, Margaret Mary 1973& The Bison of Yellowstone National Park 1611 National Park Service/ Government Printing Office animal behavior
animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
ecology
mammals
management
natural history
population
ungulates
wildlife health Objectives of this study were to provide basic data on the life history, habits, and ecology of bison in Yellowstone National Park. The original population of bison in historic times consisted of mountain bison, Bison bison athabascae. In spite of poaching to near-extermination by about 1901, a remnant of the subspecies survived and increased. Interbreeding with a population of plains bison, B. b. bison, introduced in 1902, began by the 1920's. The present bison population consists of hybrid descendants of the two subspecies. The present wintering distribution within the park approximates that of the historic population, occurring in the three subunits of Lamar, Pelican, and Mary Mountain, none of which are geographically isolated from the others. The present summering population approximates the historic distribution only in the Upper Lamar-Mirror Plateau and Hayden Valley areas. A large west-side and a large nort 8;3 Meagher, Margaret Mary 19708 The Bison of Yellowstone National Park: Past and Present 172 University of CA, Berkeley animal behavior
animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
breeding
disease
distribution
ecology
feeding
food
history
mammals
mortality
parasites
population
population dynamics
range
reproduction
vegetation
wildlife health March, 1970 The study was begun in 1963 to provide basic data on the life history, habits, and ecology of bison in the park. This report, based on extensive field work and supplemented by an intensive search for historical information, provides a basis for management and evaluation of the imp.[ $;4
Meagher, Margaret Mary 19730 A Boundary Control Program for Yellowstone Bison 6p. animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
brucellosis
Brucella abortus
cattle
disease
mammals
management
natural resource management
park boundaries
plan
range
ungulates
wildlife health
brucella
bacteria February, 1973 [The National Park Service recognizes] the valid objectives of the US Department of Agriculture's brucellosis-eradication program for economic and health reasons (target date: 12/31/75). However, there is no program of brucellosis control or eradication which can be carried out within the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park which will not destroy the integrity of the Yellowstone bison as a wild, free-ranging population. Alternatively to an internal effort at brucellosis control or eradication, a program has been developed which/[ ;5
Meagher, Margaret Mary 1972% Brucellosis and the Yellowstone Bison 3p. Yellowstone National Park, WY National Park Service animal studies
annual report
attitudes
bison (Bison bison)
brucellosis
Brucella abortus
cattle
disease
mammals
natural resource management
preservation
ungulates
wildlife health
brucella
bacteria
April 5, 1972 This paper addresses the value of the Yellowstone bison because of their unique genetic make-up. The paper then relates the value of the park bison to the issue of brucellosis and programs that have been attempted to control the disease ;6
Meagher, Margaret Mary 19713 Brucellosis in Yellowstone Bison -- The Controversy Yellowstone National Park, WY National Park Service animal studies
attitudes
bison (Bison bison)
brucellosis
cattle
disease
mammals
management
preservation
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteriaO There are two editions of this information paper, the latter edition titled, "Brucellosis in Yellowstone Bison" and the more recent version titled, "Brucellosis in Yellowstone Bison -- The Controversy." The latter edition of the paper is more concerned with arguing against a proposed brucellosis-eradication plan by the US Department of Agriculture which calls for the extermination of those Yellowstone bison infected with the disease. Th{ ;7
Meagher, Margaret Mary 1970 Ecology of Bison 2p. Yellowstone National Park, WY National Park Service u animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
ecology
habitats
mammals
management
population
population dynamics
wildlife health! This is a summary or outline of two proposed projects about bison. It contains a section on methods of study, results and discussion, and plans for 1971. The objectives of project no. 1 are: 1) provide more information on bison population dynamics and environmental relationships; and 2) determine the extent to which natural means will regulate population numbers. The objective of project no. 2 is to provide a comprehensive "ecologicaw ;8 k Meagher, Margaret Mary 1989E Evaluation of Boundary Control for Bison of Yellowstone National Park 15-19 Wildlife Society Bulletin 17 1 The Wildlife Society animal studies
bison(Bison bison)
boundaries
distribution
mammals
management
natural resource management
policies
population control
recovery
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria An isolated population of bison (Bison bison) has inhabited Yellowstone National Park since the park's establishment in 1872. Following near extermination about 1900, management of bison from 1902 to 1966 included a buffalo ranch, restoration on vacant winter ranges, and regulation of numbers through sporadic removals. The goal of park management is to maintain a free-ranging population subjo ;9 k Meagher, Margaret Mary 19895 Range Expansion by Bison of Yellowstone National Park 670-675 Journal of Mammalogy 70 3 animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
distribution
habitats
mammals
population density
range
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria August, 1989W The bison (Bison bison) of Yellowstone National Park have existed as an isolated population since the park was established in 1872 (Meagher, 1973a). The bison that inhabited the Yellowstone River Valley, immediately north of the park, were exterminated during the 1860s; those on the park's northern range were gone by the early 1890s. Bison from ranched herds introduced in 1902 interbred with the remnant original bison. The resulting population was influenced variously by ranching activities and regulation of population numbers by removals (reductions) through 1966. Except for a few males, bison seldom moved beyond park boundaries; they occupied traditional winter ranges with seasonal migrations to summer ranges (Meagher, 1973a)
During the past dozen years the population on the northern winter range expanded from the traditional core along the lower Lamar River, occupied new foraging areas within the Park, and moved outside. Further expansio _ ;:
k Meagher, Margaret Mary 1971f Winter Weather as a Population Regulating Influence on Free-Ranging Bison in Yellowstone National Park 29-38 NPS Symposium Series No. 1 Yellowstone National Park, WY National Park Service animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
brucellosis
climate
mammals
mortality
natural resource management
population dynamics
ungulates
weather
wildlife health
winter
winter weather The present bison (Bison bison) population in Yellowstone National Park is wild, unrestricted by boundary or internal fences; and since 1966, subject to no regulatory influence from man. The history, population characteristics, habits, and habitat relationships of the Yellowstone bison have been reported from studies that were carried out from 1963 through 1968 (Meagher 1970). These studies documented that the indigenous population of mountain bison persisted, although poached to near-extermination by about 1902. Plains bison were introduced in 1902 and ultimately mixed with native animals. From 1902 to 1966, management varied in objectives, intensity, and population units affected, but generally decreased. Management to control bison numbers (reductions) involved removing what were considered surplus animals.
The 1963-68 studies suggested how the park's original bison population was naturally regulated and indicated that all population units did not need to be controlled. Subsequent work has shown in more detail the degree to which one environmental factorI ;;
Meagher, Margaret Mary 1971 Yellowstone Bison 2p. Yellowstone National Park, WY National Park Serviceh animal studies
behavior
bison (Bison bison)
habitats
mammals
management
population
range
wildlife health There are three editions of Yellowstone Bison: Information Paper Number 1. It was originally written in June 1971 and revised on January of 1974 and January of 1975. This paper contains a table of locations where visitors could view bison from the roads of Yellowstone National Park. The table contains the time of year, locations of bulls, and locations of herd groups. The accompanying text discusses their 6{ ;< Meagher, Margaret Mary 1974+ Yellowstone's Bison: A Unique Wild Heritage 9-14C National Parks and Conservation Magazine: The Environmental Journal 48 5 animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
brucellosis
disease
laws and legislation
mammals
management
population
preservation
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria May, 1974 Meagher provides a history of bison in Yellowstone National Park. The near extermination of the Yellowstone Bison , the changes in bison management within the park throughout history, and the factors that affect the three populations of bison within the park are all e K h ;= m Meagher, Margaret Mary 1997< Recent Changes in Yellowstone Bison Numbers and Distribution 107-112H International Symposium on Bison Ecology and Management in North America Lynn Irby
James Knight Bozeman, Montana4 Montana State University, Extension Wildlife ProgramJ animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
distribution
population
wildlife health June 4-7, 1997 'Progressively major changes have occurred in the numbers, distribution, and relative proportion of the Yellowstone bison (Bison bison) population located on traditional seasonal ranges.' '...Continued existence of the winter road system with resultant inflation of the bison population using summer range and alteration of historic distribut
";> m % Meagher, Margaret Mary
Margaret Meyer 1994L On the Origin of Brucellosis in Bison of Yellowstone National Park: A Review 645-653 Conservation Biology 8 3 animal studies
artiodactyla
bacteria
bison
Bison bison
Bovidae
bovids
Brucella abortus
brucellosis
Mammalia
mammals
origin
disease
elk
Cervus elaphus
even-toed ungulates
wildlife health Brucellosis caused by Brucella abortus occurs in the free-ranging bison (Bison bison) of Yellowstone and Wood Buffalo National Parks and in elk (Cervus elaphus) of the Greater Yellowstone Area. As a result of nationwide bovine brucellosis eradication programs, states and provinces proximate to the national parks are considered free of bovine brucellosis. Thus, increased attention has been focused on the wildlife within these areas as potential reservoirs for transmission to cattle. Because the national parks are mandated as natural areas, the question has been raised as to whether Brucella abortus is endogenous or exogenous to bison, particularly for Yellowstone National Park. We synthesized diverse lines of inquiry, including the evolutionary history of both bison and Brucella, wild animals as Brucella hosts, biochemical and genetic information, behavioral characteristics of host and organism, and area history to develop an evaluation of the question for the National Park Service. All lines of inquiry indicated that the organism was introduced to North America with cattle, and that the introduction into the Yellowstone bison probably was directly from cattle shortly before 1917. Fistulous withers of horses was a less likely possibility. Elk on winter feedgrounds south of Yellowstone National Park apparently acquired the disease directly from cattle. Bison presently using Grand Teton National Park probably acquired brucellosis from feedground elk.Y http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0888-8892%28199409%298%3A3%3C645%3AOTOOBI%3E2.0.CO%3B2-UA Found at Yellowstone Research Library and online, pdf on computer http://www.jstor.org/cgi-bin/jstor/printpage/08888892/di995162/99p0054c/0.pdf?backcontext=page&dowhat=Acrobat&config=jstor&userID=a55385f8@doi.gov/01c0a8486b005090365&0.pdf NatureBib ID: 628869
| ;? 3 Meagher, Margaret Mary
Mark Taper
Christopher Jerde 2001R The Pelican Bison and the Domino Effect: Recent Changes in Population Distribution 18-19 Yellowstone Lake: Hotbed of Chaos or Reservoir of Resilience? 6th Biennial Scientific Conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem National Park Service miscellaneous disease
health issues
animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
distribution
migration
Pelican Valley
population
wildlife health
winter
Bison apparently have wintered for centuries in the Pelican Valley area of Yellowstone National Park. Compared with the other locations where bison winter in the park, Pelican Valley routinely experiences the most severe conditions. Nevertheless, a population has survived there because of the presence of geothermally influenced sites. Until 1980, these bison were isolated in winter by deep snows. Both winter and summer range use showed broadly consistent and predictable patterns, as did seasonal movements between range use areas. In the early 1980s, gradual but escalating changes in the bison population became apparent. Annual winter use of foraging areas by the Pelican bison expanded west from traditionally used, geothermally influenced places near the shore of Yellowstone Lake to sedge areas near the mouth of Pelican Creek, Lake area, and on to the Hayden Valley. Because Hayden Valley (part of the Mary Mountain unit) was occupied already by wintering bison, as more shifted from Pelican Valley, more bison moved into the Firehole. They also moved earlier. The process of winter range expansion was coupled with a population increase, and more bison moved further west to Madison Junction and beyond, to spill over the park's west boundary into Montana. We term this cascading pattern of population increase the domino effect. Concomitantly with the winter westward shift, summer distributions also changed dramatically. The Pelican bison no longer crossed the Mirror Plateau to reach subalpine areas in the upper Lamar country in early summer. Instead, increasing numbers of bison concentrated in Hayden Valley during the breeding season. Some then moved back to the Pelican area before winter set in. With an increased bison population park-wide, numbers also spread across the Lamar Valley in midsummer, and appeared in meadows west and north of Madison Junction where summer use was not recorded previously. Over roughly 20 years, an apparent ecosystem change has occurred involving the bison of the interior of Yellowstone National Park. Although complex and interactive factors involving climatic variation and bison social behavior seem likely to have had a role, another element may have been human-generated. In recent decades, recreational use by people of the park's interior road system in winter resulted in compacted snow surfaces that in certain locations and times provided ready-made travel linkages between locations where bison preferred to be. This was seen first in 1980 with bison located on the packed road surface west from the Mary Bay site of the traditional Pelican winter range. T
d ;@ & Meyer, Margaret
Meagher, Margaret Mary 1995v Brucellosis in Free-Ranging Bison (Bison bison) in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Wood Buffalo National Parks: A Review 579-598 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 31 4z animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
brucellosis
cattle
disease
mammals
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
October, 1995Z Brucellosis, caused by Brucella abortus, is enzootic among the free-ranging bison (Bison bison) herds in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks (Wyoming, USA), and Wood Buffalo National Park (Alberta, Canada). In contrast to previous assumptions, we present evidence that the response of bison to infection with B. abortus differs significantly from that of cattle. One marked difference is in their response to immunization with strain 19. In contrast to previous assumptions, the authors present evidence that the response of bison to infection with B. abortus differs significantly from that of cattle. One marked difference is in their response to immunization with strain 19. In contrast to the 65 to 80% efficacy of strain 19 in the immunization of bovine calves, it stimulated no immunity in bison calves. Additionally, when used for immunizing adult cattle, it caused less than 2.5% to abort, while in adult bison it caused 70% to abort. Additional differences between cattle and bison occurred in the low frequency of abortions in natural infections among bison and also in the comparatively few recoveries of B. abortus from tissues of seroagglutination positive bison. Among seroagglutination-positive cattle, B. abortus can be recovered from 86 to 95% of tissue samples. Among 218 Yellowstone National Park bison shot during the winter of 1992, B. abortus was recovered from 26 of 109 seroagglutination positive animals and 22 (85%) of the isolates were from subadults. Based on available data, the authors believe the risk of transmission of brucellosis from free-ranging bison to cattle herds is ;A & Meyer, Margaret
Meagher, Margaret Mary 1994Q Brucella abortus Infection in the Free-Ranging Bison of Yellowstone National Park 20-32 o Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area : Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions1 Thorne, E., Mark Boyce, P. Nicoletti, T. Kreeger Jackson, WYZ Wyoming Game and Fish Department for Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committees animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
brucellosis
disease
mammals
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 26-28, 1994 The benchmark event in the history of brucellosis in the Yellowstone National Park (YNP) bison (Bison bison) herd occurred when Mohler (1917) reported seroagglutination tests that were positive on two bison cows that had aborted and negative on a third cow that had not aborted. This report established that bison are susceptible to brucellosis, that some animals of the YNP herd were infected, and that the seroagglutination test used for detecting Brucella antibodies in cattle serum would also detect them in bison serum. Since this initial report, bison serum antibody titers have been interpreted like those for infected cattle (Table 1). Brucellosis in bison has been referred to as both bovine brucellosis of wildlife (Tessaro 1986) and specifically as bovine brucellosis of bison (Tessaro 1992). This implies that investigators believed that the host response of bison to B. abortus was similar to that of cattle. However, no data have been published to support this concept. In this paper, we present a brief history of the origin and management of the YNP herd, a summarization of available data, and summarize the differences between brucellosis in cattle and bison. Where possible, work ;B k Mills, Harlow B. 1937= Preliminary Study of the Bighorn of Yellowstone National Park 205-212 Journal of Mammalogy 18 2 American Society of Mammalogists animal studies
behavior
bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)
disease
habitats
mammals
migration
pellets (fecal)
population
range
reproduction
wildlife health
general wildlife health studies
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep May, 1937 For many years the condition of the bighorn, Ovis canadensis canadensis, in Yellowstone National Park has not been favorable. Although the animals have been rigidly protected, and their natural enemies are not so abundant in the Park as formerly, their numbers, according to estimates, have remained quite continuously around the 200 mark. This static condition cannot be due to dearth of range, for Bailey (Animal Life of Yellowstone National Park, 1930) suggested that there may be range in the Park for 2000 animals without encroachment on that of other game animals. With the object of attempting to discover the adverse factors affecting the bighorn, studies were carried on throughout the winter of 1934 and 1935 under the direction of the Wildlife Division of the National Park Service. During the 9 months that these studies were prosecuted, a considerable amount of biological data has accrued. The purpose of this paper is to prese ܂;C k Mills, Harlow B. 1935f Preliminary Study of the Mountain Sheep of Yellowstone National Park (Ovis canadensis canadensis shaw) 18p. animal studies
behavior
bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)
breeding
disease
distribution
feeding
food
mammals
management
migration
mortality
parasites
population
range
reproduction
wildlife health
general wildlife health studies
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep For many years the condition of the mountain sheep in Yellowstone National Park has not been favorable. Although the sheep have been rigidly protected, and their natural enemies have been reduced in numbers in the park, the estimates of their numbers have continuously fluctuated about 200. This static condition cannot well be due to dearth of range, for Bailey suggested that there may be range in the park for 2000 animals without encroachment on that of other game animals. With the object in view of attempting to discover the factors which are affecting the mountain sheep adversely, studies have been carried on under the direction of the Wildlife Division of the National Park Service. T# ;D
Mills, Harlow B. 1935I Report on Wildlife Activities for the Period from May 14 to June 14, 1935 25p.n animal studies
bears (Ursidae)
behavior
bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)
birds
breeding
coyote (Canis latrans)
deer (Cervidae)
distribution
elk (Cervus elaphus)
greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida)
mammals
migration
population
pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)
reproduction
trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator)
wildlife health
general wildlife health studies The body of sheep left the winter range on Mt. Everts while the author was on a leave of absence. As yet, they have not reached their summer range. Two groups of sheep have been seen in migration, one between Mammoth and Tower and the other going toward Golden Gate. Elk calves and antelope kids appeared i' ;E q Mills, James N.
Jerry M. Johnson
Thomas G. Ksiazek
Barbara A. Ellis
Pierre E. Rollin
Terry L. Yates
Michael O. Mann
Mark R. Johnson
Mariel L. Campbell
Jennifer Miyashiro
Michael Patrick
Michael Zyzak
Dave Lavendar
Mark G. Novak
Karina Schmidt
C.J. Peters
James E. Childs 1998[ A Survey of Hantavirus Antibody in Small Mammal Populations in Selected U.S. National Parks 525-5325 The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene animal studies
ecology
hantavirus
hantavirus antibodies
management
national parks
report
rodents (Rodentia)
virus
wildlife health Hantavirus activity in 39 National Parks in the eastern and central United States was surveyed by testing 1,815 small mammals of 38 species for antibody reactive to Sin Nombre virus. Antibody-positive rodents were found throughout the area sampled, and in most biotic communities. Antibody was detected in 7% of 647 deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), 2% of 590 white-footed mice (P. leucopus), 17% of 12 rice rats (Oryzomys palustris), 3% of 31 cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus), and 33% of 18 western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis). Antibody was also found in three of six species of voles, and in one of 33 chipmunks (Tamias minimus). Prevalence among Peromyscus was highest in the northeast. Although few cases of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome have been identified from the eastern and central regions, widespread infection in reservoir populations indicates 4 Ԇ;F NationalParkService 1953% Management Plan for Northern Elk Herd 6p. National Park Service animal studies
banding
browsing
ecology
elk (Cervus elaphus)
exclosures
feeding
food
habitats
hunting
mammals
management
migration
natural resource management
northern range
population
population control
trapping
wildlife health
winter
general wildlife health studies9 After consultation with the Montana Fish and Game Cob ;G NationalParkService 1957% Management Plan for Northern Elk Herd 11p. National Park Service animal studies
banding
browsing
Cervus elaphus
ecology
elk
exclosures
feeding
food
habitats
hunting
mammals
management
migration
natural resource management
northern range
population
population control
trapping
wildlife health
winter
general wildlife health studiese With protection afforded since the Park was established, elk wintering in the Yellowstone River dr; ;H
NationalParkService 1998* Whirling Disease Found in Yellowstone Lake 1p. Yellowstone National Park6 U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service\ bacteria
cutthroat trout
rainbow trout
whirling disease
wildlife health
Myxobolus cerebralis Dec, 1998a This is a news release sent out on December 1, 1998 to inform the media of the presence of whirling disease in native cutthroat trout taken from Yellowstone Lake near the mouth of Clear Creek. 11 out of 41 fish sampled tested positive to whirling disease. All previous samplings
;I b + Olson, A. E.
H. B. Peterson
J. L. Shupe 1980C Chronic Fluoride Toxicosis in Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park 294-302R Proceedings of the Second Conference on Scientific Research in the National Parks San Francisco, CA& National Technical Information Service animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
bones
chemistry
deer (Cervidae)
elk (Cervus elaphus)
fluoride (F)
mammals
teeth
toxins
vegetation
wildlife health
fluoride toxicosis in ruminants
fluoride toxicosis
miscellaneous disease
health issues 26-30 November 1979 9 Tooth and bone specimens from deer, elk and buffalo in Yellowstone Park were examined for lesions of chronic fluoride toxicosis. Lesions ranged from slight to severe. Vegetation and water samples from various sources were collected and analyzed for fluorine content. Water samples ranged from 0.5 parts per million (ppm) F to 24 ppm F. Vegetation ranged from under 10 ppm F to as highw H;J ' Peterson, M. J.
W. E. Grant
D. S. Davis 1991B Bison-Brucellosis Management: Simulation of Alternative Strategies 205-213 Journal of Wildlife Management 55 2 animal studies
animals
bison (Bison bison)
bison (Bos bison)
brucellosis
Brucella abortus
elk (Cervus elaphus)
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
mammals
modeling
natural resource management
parasites
ungulates
wildlife health
brucella
bacteria We examined, via simulation, 3 representative types of bison(Bison bison)-brucellosis management schemes that have been proposed for the Grand Teton National Park (NP) bison herd: (1) vaccinating female calves, (2) vaccinating females of all ages, and (3) testing and removing seropositive animals, combined with vaccinating female calves or females of all ages. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that model predictions are relatively robust to likely errors in estimates of key parameters under assumptions representing Grand Teton NP. Simulations predict that, after 20 years, the proportion of the Grand Teton NP herd seropositive for Brucella could be reduced from 69% (current level) to, at best, 20% under any of the 3 management schemes evaluated. Our examination of the relationship among brucellosis transmission rate, vaccine efficacy, and vaccine delivery rate indicated that reducing the percentage of seropositive animals to < 10%, a stated goal for this herd, would require reducing the B. abortus transmission rate to < 5%, which is unlikely with currently available vacci & ,;} W Kreeger, Terry J.
Cook, Walter E.
Edwards, William H.
Elzer, Philip H.
Olsen, Steven C. 2002_ Brucella Abortus Strain RB51 Vaccination in Elk II. Failure of High Dosage to Prevent Abortion
27-31 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 38 1 Wildlife Disease Association` abortion
Brucella abortus
Cervus elaphus
elk
strain RB51
vaccination
brucellosis
wildlife health 2002y Brucella abortus strain RB51 is used as a vaccine because it induces antibodies that do not react on standard serologic tests for brucellosis allowing differentiation between vaccination and infection. Strain RB51 was evaluated in captive elk (Cervus elaphus) to determine if vaccination protected against abortion following experimental challenge. Thirty elk were vaccinated intramuscularly with 1.0 x 1010 colony-forming units (CFU) of strain RB51 in March 1998. Fourteen of these were given a booster dose of 1.13 x 1010 CFU exactly 1 yr later. All vaccinated elk seroconverted via a modified dot blot assay to strain RB51 with the booster group having higher titers (P = 0.001). Seventeen other elk served as unvaccinated controls. All elk were bred and determined pregnant using pregnancy-specific protein B analysis. Elk were challenged in March 2000 with 1.1 x 107 CFU of B. abortus strain 2308 administered intraconjunctivally and all elk seroconverted to strain 2308. Fifteen of 17 control elk aborted; 16 of 16 elk given a single vaccination aborted (P = 0.44); and 13 of 14 elk given a booster aborted (P = 0.86). There were two viable calves in the control group and one in the booster group. Strain 2308 was recovered from fetuses and nonviable calves in all groups. Based on the results of this and other studies, the use of strain RB51 to prevent abortion in elk cannot be recommended.3 http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/reprint/38/1/27 8;L
PolicyResourcesInc. 1996L Montana Whirling Disease Task Force: Final Report and Action Recommendations 54# Montana Whirling Disease Task Force animal studies
aquatic studies
fish
management
Montana
parasites
plan
trout
whirling disease
wildlife health
Myxobolus cerebralis June 1996 Since its discovery late in 1994, a remarkable amount of energy has been focused on whirling disease in Montana. Field researchers have tested approximately 100 sites around the state to obtain a clearer picture of the distribution of the disease across Montana's waterways. Preliminary field experiments have been conducted to assess the impacts of the disease on wild trout populations. The major scientific literature on the disease has been compiled, reprinted and distributed to researchers and other interested groups and individuals. Surveys have been conducted to assess the impacts of the disease on catch rates experienced by the angling public.
This Phase II Report is being distributed by the Task Force to provide background information to the Governor and other elected officials, as well as the Montana public, concerning whirling disease. The report summarizes the findings of the Task Force concerning the disease and sets forth nearly 40 different recommendations to address the whirling disease problem. To summarize the cornerstones of our recommendations:
The Task Force recommends as a guiding philosophy that all actions to address whirling disease be consistent with protecting, preserving and restoring self-sustaining populations of wild, native and nonnative trout. Montana is the only state in the contiguous 48 states that does virtually no stocking of its rivers and streams. Our trout streams have reached world-class st ;M
Post, George 19719 The Diphyllobothrium cestode in Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming 24p. Laramie, WY7 Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Wyoming animal studies
cestoda (tapeworm subclass)
Diphyllobothrium cordiceps
ecology
fish
habitats
invertebrates
lakes and ponds
parasites
westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi)
wildlife health
Yellowstone Lake
Diphyllobothrium in fish
January, 1971| Diphyllobothrium cordiceps is a cestode parasite which exists in salmonid fishes of certain Yellowstone Park lake environments. The parasite is found primarily in the cutthroat trout of Yellowstone Lake, although it has been found in brook trout, rainbow trout and grayling in other lakes of the northern Rocky Mountains. This report contains the following sections: historical background of the parasite in Yellowstone Park; life stages Đ;N
Post, George = Diphyllobothrium cestode Problem in Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming 9p.2 Colorado State University Cooperative Fishery Unit animal studies
cestoda (tapeworm subclass)
Diphyllobothrium cordiceps
ecology
fish
habitats
invertebrates
lakes and ponds
parasites
westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi)
wildlife health
Yellowstone Lake
Diphyllobothrium in fish A Diphyllobothrium cordiceps is a cestode parasite which exists in salmonid fishes o ;O
Rezendes, Victor 1997h Wildlife Management Issues Concerning the Management of Bison and Elk Herds in Yellowstone National Park 19p.' United States General Accounting Office animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
brucellosis
elk (Cervus elaphus)
management
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
July 10, 1997 This report focuses on a number of issues. It provides an historical background on Yellowstone National Park and brucellosis in elk and bison in Yellowstone National Park. There is a discussion about Yellowstone's Wildlife Management Policy and the controversy over the impact of bison and elk herds on Yellowstone's range and riparian areas. Finally, the controversy over the risk of transmitting Brucellosis from b Y s were similar.0 http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/reprint/37/1/101 Found online, pdf on m ʜitalic" start="794" />& Tessaro, Stacy Victor
Forbes, Lorry B. 20041 Experimental Brucella abortus Infection in Wolves 60-65 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 40 1h Brucella abortus
brucellosis
Canis lupus
pathogenesis
serology
wolves
wildlife health
brucella
bacteria
January, 2004 Four juvenile male wolves (Canis lupus) each received an oral dose of 1.6–1.731012 colony-forming units of Brucella abortus biovar 1 isolated from a bison (Bison bison) in Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada), and two others served as negative controls. Infected wolves did not show clinical signs of disease but did develop high Brucella antibody titers. Small numbers of B. abortus were excreted sporadically in feces until day 50 postinoculation (PI). Very small numbers of the bacterium were isolated from urine of only one wolf late on the same day that it was infected, and very small numbers of colonies of B. abortus were obtained from buccal swabs of three wolves for up to 48 hr PI. Two infected wolves euthanized 6 mo after the start of the experiment had no lesions, and colonies of B. abortus were isolated from thymus and most major lymph nodes. The other two infected wolves euthanized 12 mo after the start of the experiment had no lesions, and smaller numbers of brucellae were recovered from fewer lymph nodes compared with the wolves killed 6 mo earlier. The sporadic excretion of very small numbers of brucellae by the wolves was insignificant when compared with the infective dose for cattle. 3 http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/reprint/40/1/60.pdf Found online, pdf on computer NatureBi 6 Found in Bison Library 191 NatureBib ID: 652383 ! ound in Bison Library 486 Nat ) hese efforts and recommend further activi [!dinated and cooperative effort. 251 Found in Bison Library 251 NatureBib ID: 652387 - threat they pose to cattle if they have been 1 ' - Are We Ready?/ Schill, Dan
Moore, Steve
Byort
NatureBib ID: 602880 @ry$ Bison Library: 227, YRL: 599.643 I65 NatureBib ID: 602705 30/3/445A Found at Yellowstone Research Library and online, pdf on computer! ANIMALS-DISEASES & POISONS(RHYAN) NatureBib ID: 4517 Pes.wsu.edu/research/bear-center/doc/YS%20Bear%20Story.pdf NatureBib ID: 652360 b\\O:\Library\PDFdocuments\Remote_delivery\RoffeManuscriptBiobulletStudy.doc NatureBib ID: 652363 g
ks.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-541X%28200410%2968%3A4%3C830%3AEOSCVO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-L NatureBib ID: 652361 %3B2-8 NatureBib ID: 16739 tureBib ID: 652365 ` on computer: http://www.aquaculturehealth.com/AQUACULTUREHEATH%2004.pdf NatureBib ID: 652366 Hstrators in the wildlife field the following report is presented.% Found at Yellowstone Research Library" ANIMALS- Diseases & PoisoB7 ;R * m Rhyan, Jack
William Quinn
Larry Stackhouse
James Henderson
Darla Ewalt
Janet Payeur
Mark Johnson
Mary Meagher 1994q Abortion Caused by Brucella abortus Biovar 1 in a Free-ranging Bison (Bison bison) from Yellowstone National Park 445-446 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 30 3 Wildlife Disease Association{ animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
brucellosis
disease
ecology
mammals
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
July, 1994 A near-term aborted bison (Bison bison) fetus was collected near Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. On necropsy, the fetus liver had a small capsular tear, and there was a small quantity of blood in the peritoneal cavity. Microscopic lesions included mild, purulent bronchopneumonia. B w s &;S I Rhyan, Jack
Thomas Gidlewski
Thomas Roffe
Keith Aune
L. Philo
Darla Ewalt 2001@ Pathology of Brucellosis in Bison from Yellowstone National Park 101-109 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 37 1 Wildlife Disease Association Pathology
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteriology
serology
vertical transmission
bacteria
animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
brucellosis
disease
wildlife health
January, 2001K Between February 1995 and June 1999, specimens from seven aborted bison (Bison bison) fetuses or stillborn calves and their placentas, two additional placentas, three dead neonates, one 2-wk-old calf, and 35 juvenile and adult female bison from Yellowstone National Park (USA) were submitted for bacteriologic and histopathologic examination. One adult animal with a retained placenta had recently aborted. Serum samples from the 35 juvenile and adult bison were tested for Brucella spp. antibodies. Twenty-six bison, including the cow with the retained placenta, were seropositive, one was suspect, and eight were seronegative. Brucella abortus biovar 1 was isolated from three aborted fetuses and associated placentas, an additional placenta, the 2-wk-old calf, and 11 of the seropositive female bison including the animal that had recently aborted. Brucella abortus biovar 2 was isolated from one additional seropositive adult female bison. Brucella abortus was recovered from numerous tissue sites from the aborted fetuses, placentas and 2-wk-old calf. In the juvenile and adult bison, the organism was more frequently isolated from supramammary (83%), retropharyngeal (67%), and iliac (58%) lymph nodes than from other tissues cultured. Cultures from the seronegative and suspect bison were negative for B. abortus. Lesions in the B. abortus-infected, aborted placentas and fetuses consisted of necropurulent placentitis and mild bronchointerstitial pneumonia. The infected 2-wk-old calf had bronchointerstitial pneumonia, focal splenic infarction, and purulent nephritis. The recently-aborting bison cow had purulent endometritis and necropurulent placentitis. Immunohistochemical staining of tissues from the culture-positive aborted fetuses, placentas, 2-wk-old calf, and recently-aborting cow disclosed large numbers of B. abortus in placental trophoblasts and exudate, and fetal and calf lung. A similar study with the same tissue collection and culture proto .Є;T
Rush, William 1931 The Russian Broad Tapeworm 4p. animal studies
black bear
cestoda
cestodes
Diphyllobothrium latum
infestations
invertebrates
mammals
parasites
platyhelminthes
tapeworm
Ursus americanus
wildlife health November 9, 19318 The discovery of the broad tapeworm in the black bear of the Yellowstone caused the writer to make a perusal of the American literature on this parasite, and believing that the matter is of suffc ;U
Rush, William 1932E Bang's Disease in the Yellowstone National Park Buffalo and Elk herds 371-372 Journal of Mammalogy 13 4 American Society of Mammalogists animal studies
bacteria
bison
Bison bison
brucella
brucella abortus
brucellosis
Cervus elaphus
disease
elk
mammals
mortality
population
wildlife health November, 1932e It has been noted for the past three or four years that a number of buffalo cows aborted their calves. Bang's disease (infectious or contagious abortion) has been suspected of being the cause. This article shows the results of a study of a herd of biso ;V / Rush, William 1932 Diphyllobothrium latum in Bear 274-275 Journal of Mammology 13 3 American Society of Mammalogists animal studies
black bear (Ursus americanus)
cestoda (tapeworm subclass)
cestodes
disease
grizzly bear (Ursus arctos)
invertebrates
mammals
parasites
platyhelminthes
wildlife health
Diphyllobothrium latum August, 1932 "On August 26, 1931, a female black bear, Euarctos americanus americanus, was autopsied by the writer at the Lake Ranger Station in Yellowstone Park, and found to contain in its intestines about one hundred Russian broad tape worms, Diphyllobothrium latum, varying in length from 46 to 84 centimeters.
This bear had been fasted for nearly 48 hours and one incomplete and two complete occlusions of the intestinal lumen and two invaginations of the intestine had taken place. The animal was in poor physical condition for this timOs ;W Scott, John W. 1935+ On the Diphyllobothrium of Yellowstone Park 443 Journal of Parasitology 21 animal studies
cestoda (tapeworm subclass)
cestodes
Diphyllobothrium spp.
ecology
fish
invertebrates
parasites
platyhelminthes
wildlife health
Diphyllobothrium in fish This report contains a short description of the tapeworm diphyllobothrium, in both larval and adult stages in Yellowstone National Pan ;X 6 Shupe, J. L.
A. E. Olson
H. B. Peterson
J. B. Low 1984$ Fluoride Toxicosis in Wild Ungulates 1295-13006 Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 185 11' American Veterinary Medical Association animal studies
bison
bones
chemistry
deer
ecology
elk
fluoride
fluoride toxicosis
mammals
teeth
toxins
vegetation
wildlife health
miscellaneous disease
health issues December 1, 1984] To compare the occurrence of chronic fluoride toxicosis in wild and domestic animals in selected areas of Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, deer, elk and bison bones and teeth were collected for evaluation. Vegetation and drinking water samples also were collected, so that potential sources of fluoride could be evaluated.
Deer, elk, and bison were found to be susceptible to the adverse effects of ingestion of excessive amounts of fluoride. Teeth and bones were primarily affected with characteristic lesions. Pathognomonic soft tissue changes were not observed. The animals had been exposed to a variety of sources of excessive fluoride, including water high in fluoride, forages contaminated by industrial effluents that were high in fluoride, vegetation contaminated with high fluoride-content soil by rain splash or wind, or a combination of these sources. Waters high in fluoride, especially from geothermal springs and wells, often contained appreciable amounts of various soluble salts.
Evidence accumulated from specimens collected throughout the aforementioned states indicated that there are areas where chronic fluoride toxicosis is a problem for wildlife. These areas were where natural sources of fluorine (especially geothermal waters species. 2964 http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/reprint/32/2/322.pdf2 Found online and in Bison Library, pdf on computer 2964 http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/reprint/32/2/322.pdf NatureBib ID: 67566 ɀey use during all sea diagnostic tests, th Hds, livestock, and native hun ʰt agency objectives.% y ˘ (Thorne 1992; Thorne et al. 1981, 1995; Herriges et al. 1989, 1991).% Found at Yellowstone Research Library 636.089 B ˼ served to reemphasiz ed elsewhere in t ; Simon, James R. 1935K New Species of Nematode, Bulbodacnitis scotti, from the Trout, Salmo lewisi 11-15" University of Wyoming Publications University of Wyoming animal studies
Bulbodacnitis scotti
classification
ecology
fish
nematoda
parasites
trout (Oncorhynchusnidae)
westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi)
wildlife health
Yellowstone Lake
June 15, 1935 The material upon which this study was based consisted of ten male and eleven female specimens taken from the Yellowstone Lake trout, Salmo lewisi, in Yellowstone National Park. The collections were made during the summer of 1932. A careful examination of the nematode showed that it belonged to te7 1<;[ , Simon, James R. 1933{ A Study and Description of Some of the Internal Parasites of the Native Trout, Salmo lewisi, from Yellowstone National Park 33p. University of Wyoming animal studies
Bulbodacnitis scotti
checklist
Cripidostomum transmarinum
Diphyllobothrium sp.
fish
flatworms & roundworms (Helminthes)
parasites
species identification
trematodes
trout (Oncorhynchusnidae)
wildlife health
worms
Diphyllobothrium in fish7 This thesis includes a description of a new species of parasitic roum 8~;\ . Thorne, E. Tom
Margaret Meagher
Robert Hillman 19895 Brucellosis in Free-Ranging Bison: Three Perspectives 24p. WYGame&Fish~ animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
brucellosis
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
disease
mammals
management
wildlife health Brucellosis is a bacterial disease of biological, economic, and political importance. Although it is generally regarded to be a bovine disease, in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem brucellosis receives more notoriety in wildlife than it does in cattle. Brucellosis is biologically important to wildlife of the GYE, but it is because of its significance as a bovine disease that it is of such great economic and political importance. As examples during the winter of 1988-89, 569 bison from Yellowstone National Park were taken in Montana in a harvest that was necessary because of the concern about brucellosis transmission to cattle, and brucellosis played a role in the March 1989 agency reduction of 16 bison from the Jackson Herd in Wyoming. Brucellosis in bison of the GYE cannot be discussed without also considering brucellosis in cattle and elk.
This report discusses the problems with the bison in Yellowstone National Park ;] m # Nicoletti, Paul
Michael J. Gilsdorf 1994# Brucellosis - The Disease in Cattle 3-6n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions< Thorne, E. Tom
Mark S. Boyce
Paul Nicoletti
Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committeen abortion
bison
Brucella abortus
brucellosis
cattle
coccobacillus
eradicate
wildlife health
brucella
bacteria September 26-28, 1994R The first published description of brucellosis in cattle followed isolation of coccobacillus which was later called Brucella abortus (Bang 1897). There was considerable interest in the United States because contagious abortion was recognized as a serious economic disease. The Bureau of Animal Industry (now Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) of the United States Department of Agriculture played a dominant role in research and subsequent development of a program whose goal is to eradicate the disease. A review of the ;^
West, Raymond M. 1936g Fish Fauna of the Yellowstone National Park and Parasites of the Trout of the Yellowstone National Park 18p.g animal studies
checklist
disease
ecology
fish
general wildlife health studies
parasites
wildlife health Dec, 1936A This is a condensation of two papers: one by Dr. David Starr Jordan in 1889 and one by Dr. Barton W. Evermann in 1891. It is basically a checklist of species encountered in the Park and notes from observations. The other repor + <@;_
Williams, Elizabeth S. 1993[ Diagnostic Work, Supplies, and Disease/Necropsy Course for Assistance in Disease Evaluation
Annual Report Laramie, WY University of Wyomingv animal studies
annual report
disease
general wildlife health studies
health hazards
mammals
population
wildlife health May, 1992 - June, 1993t A 2 day workshop reviewing diseases of wildlife, disease recognition, techniques for collection and preservation of samples for diagnostic purposes, and human health considerations was conducted for Rangers, Resource Managers, and Scientists in Yellowstone National Park. Subsequent to the workshop, 95 samples or animals, representing 14 species, from the Park were submitted to the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie for diagnostic evaluation. A variety of tests were conducted as appropriate including gross necropsy, histopathology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology, electron microscopy, acetylcholinesterase activity, trace mineral analysis, serology, serum chemistry, hematology, and entomology. These analyses indicated a variety of pathogens or potential pathogens and naturally occurring organisms were present in clinically ill as well as healthy animals. The most significant diseases identified during the study period were canine parvoviral enteritis in coyotes (Canis latrans) and canine distemper in pine marten (Martes americana). Both are highly contagious viral diseases that may affect populations of susceptible carnivores, and are of particular concern for threatened and endangered species. Both should be considered in the wolf recovery program. This report may represent the first laboratory documentation of mortality due to this disease in the Park, the first report of clinical parvoviral induced disease in free-ranging coyotes, and the first report of canine distemper in pine marten. The first year of wildlife disease surveillance in the Park was successful, yielded important information, and should continue. Similar programs also could be instituted in other Parks to provide data on presence of wildlife diseases, to monito Ҁ;` P Williams, Elizabeth S.
Michael Miller
Francis Singer
Terry Spraker
Sharon Taylorr A Preliminary Survey for Select Diseases in Wild Bighorn Sheep Populations in Rocky Mountain Region National Parks 64p.: animal pathology
animal studies
animals
bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)
Colorado Plateau
disease
general wildlife health studies
impacts
inventory and monitoring
mammals
management
microbiology
monitoring
threatened endangered sensitive animals
threatened and endangered species
wildlife health
wildlife management This report examines bighorn sheep populations from Rocky Mountain National Parks, collects disease data, and develops approaches for evaluating bighorn health. This study was conducted as a p ;a
j Worley, David, Richard Barrett 1962S Biology of the Elk Lungworm (Dictyocaulus sp.) in the Northern Yellowstone Elk Herd 1p.5 Veterinary Research Laboratory, Montana State College animal studies
Dictyocaulus sp.
disease
elk (Cervus elaphus)
lungworm
mammals
parasites
population
range
wildlife health
dictyocaulosis in elk
lungworms of ruminantsw Post-mortem examination of more than 275 elk from the northern Yellowstone Park herd over a 15-month period has indicated that definite seasonal variations exist in the incidence and intensity of this infection (lungworm). Worm counts on 3-6 animals at weekly intervals since February, 1962 have demonstrated that both the rate of infection and individual worm burdens increased from a minimum level in November and December to an annual peak in late winter and spring. During the peak incidence in May, about ` p ;b 4 Worley, David
Kenneth Greer
D. Palmisciano
E. Meslow 1980L Possible Relationships between Trichinellosis and Abnormal Behavior in Bears 280-283r Bears - Their Biology and Management: Papers of the Fifth International Conference on Bear Research and Manax Ȅ~;c Meagher, Margaret Mary 1993` Winter Recreation-induced Changes in Bison Numbers and Distribution in Yellowstone National Park 1-60 USDOI
NPS Yellowstone National Park
distribution
management
animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
human impact
mammals
population
recreation
visitors
wildlife health
winter
winter recreation
boundary control
population size
population dynamics
disturbanceS During the past decade major changes occurred in bison numbers and distribution in Yellowstone National park that are indicative of the basic nomadic behavior of this species. The existence of snow-packed roads used for winter recreation in the interior of the park appeared to be the major influence. For the stolid-tempered bison the roads provided energy-efficient travel that resulted in energy saving within traditional foraging areas, range expansion, major shifts among previously semi-isolated subpopulations, and a mitigation of winterkill and enhancement of calf survival. The population increased from approximately 2000 to 3400 bison. In the last 2 years a major skewing of summer range use occurred, resulting in increasing habitat impacts. More bison exited the park to come into conflict with other land use objectives. Cropping outside the park would mitigate these conflicts but would not compensate for the huge changes within the park. Because the entire bison population is' ;d Meyer, Margaret 1964a The Epizootiology of Brucellosis and Its Relationship to the Identification of Brucella Organisms 553-557' American Journal of Veterinary Research 25 105A brucella
disease
bison
wildlife health
brucella abortus
bacteria
March 1964 Five hundred and fifty strains of Brucella organisms, gathered from all areas of the world exclusive of Russia, were examined for their species identity by the combined use of the conventional determinative methods, by bacteriophage typing, and by ascertainment of their oxidative metabolic patterns. Simultaneous application of these methods provided a precise species and biotype identification of each strain. The information on strain identity then was correlated with the data on host and tissue of origin.
This comparative analysis revealed that each species of Brucella had a decided host preference; Br. abortus for cattle, Br. melitensis for sheep and goats, and Br. suis for swine. It also made evident the fact that Brucella organisms are not readily transmitted from the preferential host to dissimilar hosts and that, when a species does induce disease outside the preferential host, the organisms usually localize in the mammary gland and reticuloendothelial system rather ;f q Noble, Glenn A. 1958' Coprozoic Protozoa from Wyoming Mammals 69-74' The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology 5 1 disease
fecal
elk
bison
cattle
Vahlkampfia sp.
Sappinia diploidea
Cercomonas sp.
Copromonas ruminantium
Monas communis
coprozoic protozoa
animal studies
animals
Jackson Hole, WY
mammals
protozoa
wildlife health February, 1958_ Coprozoic protozoa from elk, bison, bear, moose, coyote, marmot, cattle, horse, sheep and man were kept in feces at 4 degrees C for 2-6 months. During that time in most of the samples there developed flagellates Cercomonas sp., Copromonas ruminantium and Monas communis; the amoebae Vahlkampfia sp. and Sappinia diploidea, and ciliates of the Nyctotherus type, and an unidentified smaller species. There was a correlation between numbers of protozoa and bacteria. The same species of protozoa in soil or in soil mixed with boiled feces failed to live. Coprozoic protozoa may require certain essential metabolites from bacteria as do true parasites. The wide F;L & Keiter, Robert B.
Froelicher, Peter H. 1993@ Bison, Brucellosis, and Law in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Land and Water Law Review 28 1 animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
brucellosis
disease
ecology
ecosystems
laws and legislation
mammals
management
natural resource management
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria 1993 Not long ago, endless bison herds roamed the Great Plains. With the advent of white settlement, though, the bison were slaughtered nearly to extinction. Only a last second rescue effort saved a priceless part of America's natural and frontier heritage. Today remnant populations of bison are preserved in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, where they represent the nation's largest - and most visible - free roaming bison herds. But these bison are now running out of room. Because bison carry brucellosis, a disease that causes cattle to abort, they are viewed as a threat to domestic livestock and subject to being killed upon leaving the parks. In recent years, six different lawsuits have been filed in federal and state court challenging federal bison management policies. Western senators have even sought to bring Congress into the fray. The controversy reveals deep divisions between agricultural and wildlife interests, and it reflects a serious lack of clarity in the existing law.
The current controversy centers around the fact that roughly half of the Yellowstone bison test positive for brucellosis, and the fear that they may transmit the disease to domestic livestock upon leaving the parks. Although there is no documented evidence that bison have ever passed brucellosis to cattle on the open range, research has demonstrated that bison can infect cattle in a controlled environment. Neither cattle nor wildlife can be fully protected against the disease by vaccination. The Yellowstone bison herds, nurtured by the National Park Service's "natural regulation" wildlife management policy have grown in population, and they are now dispersing beyond park boundaries to forage on surrounding lands during the harsh winter months. But once the bison leave the park, they are likely to encounter domestic livesotkc, either on Forest Service grazing leases or on lower eoC -;h Angus, R. D. 1989c Preparation, Dosage Delivery, and Stability of Brucella Abortus Strain 19 Vaccine Ballistic Implant 656-6664 Proceedings: United States Animal Health Association 93n strain 19
brucella abortus
dosage
stability
ballistic implant
vaccination
brucellosis
bacteria
wildlife health 1989 The National Brucellosis Eradication Program has made considerable progress in recent years. Most states of the United States have achieved Certified Brucellosis Free or Class A status for the domestic cattle population. In Wyoming, however, there are foci of Brucella abortus infection in certain free-ranging elk and bison herds. It has been shown that elk respond to B. abortus exposure and infection like cattle. Vaccination of cattle, elk, and bison with strain 19 can be expected to reduce the level of herd infection. If vaccination of free-ranging elk and bison could be accomplished effectively, the exposure potential for both wildlife and domestic livestock would be reduced and the progress toward brucellosis eradication would be preserved. The development of a ballistic implant delivery system has provided a potential method for vaccinating animals without use of physical or chemical restraint. This system is now being utilized to vaccinate free-ranging elk and bison for brucellosis. 41 Found R Bp;i
r Aune, Keith
Cheville, Norman F.
Davis, Don
Hunter, David L.
Rhyan, Jack C.
Roffe, Thomas J.
Williams, Elizabeth S.2 Standardized Sample Collection Protocols for Bison 9Z Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee Technical Subcommittee Working Group bison
research
brucellosis
brucella
sample collection
sampling design
bacteria
bacterial culture
field sampling
wildlife health! This protocol was designed for the collection of samples from bison in a uniform manner that will lead to data as free of contamination and artifact as is possible in a field setting. In addition to the complete protocol for optimum sampling situations, a short protocol is included for special situations that arise during sampling in the field. Examination of bison by biologists will involve recording of data on teeth, hair, horns and other physical characteristics. Special samples may be required for data during this phase of examination. 4624 http://www.gyibc.com/Reference_Material/samplpro.htm7 Found at Bison Li;j Berger, Joel
Cain, Steve 1999 Reproductive Synchrony in Brucellosis-Exposed Bison in the Southern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and in Noninfected Populations 357-366 Conservation Biology 13 2 reproduction
brucellosis
bison
greater Yellowstone Area grand teton national park brucella brucella abortus elk national bison range wind cave national park badlands national park bacteria
April 1999
Shooting of bison (Bison bison) in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is a highly polarized, emotional issue because native ungulates exposed to brucellosis (Brucella abortus) may infect cattle when they disperse or migrate beyond protected reserves. Both bison and elk (Cervus elaphus) carry brucellosis, a disease that causes abortion in livestock and is often transmitted through contact with expelled fetuses or birth membranes and fluids. If Brucella-infected bison experience a prolonged period of birth, cattle in areas of sympatry will have increased susceptibility to disease. We tested the hypothesis that reproductive synchrony differs between Brucella-free and Brucella-infected bison by contrasting patterns between the Brucella-exposed bison population (in Jackson Hole, Wyoming) within the southern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem with three non-exposed populations (National Bison Range in Montana, and Wind Cave and Badlands National Parks in South Dakota) that inhabit prairies. Populations averaged 42 births per site per year. Fifty percent of all the births occurred within 1 month, and 95% within 61 days at three sites. It took 89 days for 95% of the births to occur at the non-infected Badlands site. Multiple comparison of regression slopes of the relationship between birth synchrony and the cumulative proportion of total births revealed interpopulation differences ( p < 0.01), but the brucellosis-exposed population did not exhibit a parturition period different from that of the nondiseased populations. These among-population similarities suggest that reproductive synchrony is not protracted in Brucella-infected bison. Although Brucella transmission from bison to cattle occurs experimentally, captive densities during testing exceeded the mean for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem by about 1500 times, and that in 10 noninfected populations by more than 100 times. Although mean density can be misleading as a surrogate for the potential transmission of disease from bison to cattle, bison densities have not approached those reported for disease transmission. Among the ecological factors that may affect the spread of brucellosis from bison to cattle in the southern Yellowstone region, two stand out: (1) access to high-quality food, perhaps because animals in superior physiological condition tend to exhibit tighter reproductive synchrony and (2) incidence of disease in elk. The timing of parturition in bison is neither a simple process nor is it likely to be based on responses to a single variable. A potentially fertile area for future investigation will concern relationships among food, reproductive synchrony, and spatial-temporal components of bison, elk, and cattle distribution.Z http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0888-8892%28199904%2913%3A2%3C357%3ARSIBBI%3E2.0.CO%3B2-K Found online, pdf on computer http://www.jstor.org/cgi-bin/jstor/printpage/08888892/di014634/01p0060y/0.pdf?backcontext=page&dowhat=Acrobat&config=jstor&userID=a55385f8@doi.gov/01c0a8346400501cfd7e0&0.pdf NatureBib ID: 553064 8lence of lungworms we M;k Bienen, Leslie
Tabor, Gary 2006 Applying an Ecosystem Approach to Brucellosis Control: Can an Old Conflict between Wildlife and Agriculture Be Successfully Managed? 319-327( Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 4 6! The Ecological Society of Americad bison
elk
brucellosis
management
ecology
wildlife
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria 2006 Brucellosis is a hotly debated topic in the western United States. For decades, this disease has pitted conservationists against ranchers, as well as against federal and state government agencies, particularly in Montana and Wyoming. Bison and elk are the primary wildlife disease reservoirs, and cattle the primary species of agricultural concern. Here, we briefly summarize the disease’s etiology and ecology in wildlife and discuss recent developments in the sociopolitical landscape and in scientific research that could result in improved management. Applying some key principles of ecosystem management is crucial to improving brucellosis control in wildlife. 456' Found in Bison Library, pdf on computer 456[ File:\\O:\Library\PDFdocuments\Disease_Modeling\BienenT
N;l Boyce, Mark S. 1998P Ecological-Process Management and Ungulates: Yellowstone's Conservation Paradigm 391-398 Wildlife Society Bulletin 26 3} ecology
bison
elk
management
natural regulation
wildlife health
animal studies
brucellosis
brucella abortus
brucella
bacteria 1998c What have been the consequences for ungulate ecology and management after 30 years of ecological-process management in national parks of the United States? Intervention sometimes has been required to restore and maintain ecological processes, as illustrated by recent wolf recovery in Yellowstone National Park. But the long held belief that ungulate populations must be controlled has no basis in fact, and concerns that ecosystems would collapse without culling ungulate populations have been unfounded. Instead, biologists have learned about the influence of herbivores on vegetation structure and composition and found that ungulate populations are regulated by a variety of demographic mechanisms. Parks are needed as ecological baselines or controls against which we can evaluate the consequences of human activities and developments outside the national parks. 448S Found in Bison Library, online and at Yellowstone Re
O4;m
L Bridgewater, Donald R. 1997- Interspecies Transmission of Brucella abortus 22p. Englewood, Colorado@ Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Veterinary Services| Bison
Brucella
Brucellosis
Brucella abortus
interspecies transmission
transmission
cattle
elk
moose
wildlife health
bacteria September 17, 1997 This paper addresses only the interspecies transmission of Brucella abortus (B. abortus) between domestic bovine, domestic equine, captive bison, free-ranging wild elk and free-ranging wild bison. Moose were included, however, because B. abortus in this animal produces a generalized and an apparently fatal disease. Other wildlife species, e.g., deer, pronghorn antelope, mountain sheep, coyotes, wolves and bear, to name a few, are epidemiologically regarded to be of no significance in the maintenance and transmission of B. abortus. 24, Found in Bison Library, document on co' Rh;n Choisy, Marc
Rohani, Pejman 2006> Harvesting Can Increase Severity of Wildlife Disease Epidemics 2025-20347 Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 273 1597 The Royal Society compensation
density-dependence
emerging infectious diseases
harvesting
seasonality
wildlife disease dynamics
wildlife health
hunting
management
disease
wildlife
general wildlife health studies
August 22, 2006| Theoretical studies of wildlife population dynamics have proved insightful for sustainable management, where the principal aim is to maximize short-term yield, without risking population extinction. Surprisingly, infectious diseases have not been accounted for in harvest models, which is a major oversight because the consequences of parasites for host population dynamics are well-established. Here, we present a simple general model for a host species subject to density dependent reproduction and seasonal demography. We assume this host species is subject to infection by a strongly immunizing, directly transmitted pathogen. In this context, we show that the interaction between density dependent effects and harvesting can substantially increase both disease prevalence and the absolute number of infectious individuals. This effect clearly increases the risk of cross-species disease transmission into domestic and livestock populations. In addition, if the disease is associated with a risk of mortality, then the synergistic interaction between hunting and disease-induced death can increase the probability of host population W S;o T Christie, R. J.
Findley, D.J.
Dunfee, M.
Hansen, R.
Olsen, Steven C.
Grainger, D.W. 2004F Photopolymerized Hydrogel Carriers for Live Vaccine Ballistic Delivery 1462-1469 Vaccine 24 biobullet
PEG hydrogel
bacteria encapsulation
wildlife
vaccination
brucellosis
brucella
wildlife health
hydrogel
vaccine delivery methods October 3, 20051 Photopolymerized poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG) crosslinked hydrogels were assessed for their ability to serve as a payload vehicle to deliver viable bacterial vaccine (RB51 anti-brucellosis vaccine to bison in Yellowstone National Park) ballistically using thermoplastic degradable biobullets. PEG modified with degradable glycolide or lactide oligomers capped with photopolymerizable methacrylate groups served to crosslink the hydrogel vaccine carrier inside commercial hydropropylcellulose biobullets. Release of 1 micron diameter model fluorescent particles from hydrogels followed known degradation trends for glycolide- and lactide-modified PEG hydrogels. All particles were released from PEG-co-glycolide hydrogels after ~10 days and PEG-co-lactide hydrogels after ~45 days following gel degradation. Minimal particle release was observed from pure PEG dimethacrylate hydrogels over 40 days. P. aeruginosa (strain PAO1) and RB51 brucella live vaccine exhibit excellent viability following exposure to photopolymerization encapsulation within these gel matrices. Hydrogels photopolymerized into the payload chamber of biobullets exhibit similar ballistic properties to commercially available biobullets, and penetrate and remain intact intramuscularly when fired into live elk to release their gel payload in the host. 401d http://www.bioen.utah.edu/faculty/DWG/Publications/Publication%20PDFs/Vaccine,%20Christie%202006.pdf2 Found in Bison Library and online, pdf on computer 401 david.grainger@colostate.eduJ file:\\O:\Library\PDFdocuments\Remote_delivery\Christie#1_JContRelease.docH 8Є~;p Q Barton, Claude E.
Johnson, Billy G.
Sanders, R. B.
Warner, David
White, Ronald L. 1997" Wyoming Brucellosis Program Review 1-26 USDA* Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service APHIS Policy
cattle
brucellosis
Wyoming
management
bison
disease
eradication
history
elk
Yellowstone National Park
Grand Teton National Park
distribution
infection
Greater Yellowstone Area
brucella
bacteria
brucella abortusX Strong Program Elements:
1. Herd record files
2. Calfhood vaccination
3. Animal identification at livestock markets
4. Epidemiology support
5. Laboratory
6. Veterinary support in the field
7. Activities of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in controlling brucellosis affected wildlife
8. Brand inspection
9. Interest and support of the livestock industry
Program Elements Needing Improvement:
1. State-Federal relations
2. Market cattle surveillance
3. Public information
4. Documentation of MCI tracebacks
5. APHIS, VS assistance in dealing with brucellosis in wildl UX~;q c Cook, Walter E.
Mills, Kenneth W.
Williams, Elizabeth S.
Bardsley, Katherine D.
Boerger-Fields, AmyN Survival of Brucella abortus Strain RB51 on Fetuses in the Wyoming Environment 19% Progress Report for Number UW#5-34204U Brucella abortus
Brucella
strain RB51
fetus
Wyoming
Greater Yellowstone Area
bacteria Brucellosis is a bacterial disease of cattle that has become established in elk (Cervus elaphus) and bison (Bison bison) of the Greater Yellowstone Area. It causes elk and bison to abort and has the potential to be transmitted to domestic cattle which are now free of the disease. In this study we examined how long Brucella abortus strain RB51, as a surrogate for field strain B. abortus, could survive on healthy bovine fetuses placed in the Wyoming environment from February through June. When fetuses were placed out in February, bacteria were isolated for an average of 17.1 days (sd=6.8 days) on the exposed surface of the fetuses, and 60.5 days (sd=2.8 days) on the underside. In March, the bacteria survived for an average of 15.5 days on the surface (sd=13.3 days) and 39.5 days on the underside (sd=10.2 days); In April they survived 4.0 days on the top (sd=3.2 days) and 8.8 days on the bottom (sd=6.1); In May they lasted and average 0.6 days on the top (sd=0.5 days) and 2.8 days on the bottom (sd=1.4 days); and in June the bacteria were isolated for an average of 0.3 days from the exposed surface (sd=0.5 days) and 4.7 days on the underside (sd=5.4 days). We found that aborted fetuses could potentially serve as a source of B. abortus infection for extended periods of time depending on when the abortion occurs. In depth data analysis is still ongoing and will be included in the final report. 28 Found in Bison
U~;r C Cook, Walter E.
Williams, Elizabeth S.
Dubay, Shelli
Thorne, E. Tomu Disappearance Rate of Bovine Fetuses at Grand Teton National Park, State Elk Feedgrounds, and the National Elk Refuge UW #5-34196 Progress Reportn Brucellosis
grand teton national park
elk refuge
feedgrounds
disappearance rate
fetus
bacteria
wildlife health Brucellosis is a bacterial disease of cattle that has become established in elk (Cervus elaphus) and bison (Bison bison) of the Greater Yellowstone Area. It causes elk and bison to abort and has the potential to be transmitted to domestic cattle which are now free of the disease. In this study we examined how long healthy bovine fetuses, as surrogates for aborted bison or elk fetuses, remained in the environment and could be available for contact by elk, bison, and cattle. Healthy bovine fetuses were placed on the National Elk Rufuge, state elk feedgrounds, and Grand Teton National Park to simulate an elk or bison aborted fetus. Fetuses were monitored until they disappeared due to scavenging. Fetuses took 26.8 hr on average (sd=25.3 hr) to disappear from the National Elk Refuge, 42.5 hr (sd=31.6 hr) at state elk feedgrounds, and 57.5 hr (sd=48.0 hr) at Grand Teton National Park. Ninety percent of fetuses can be expected to disappear from the National Elk Refuge within 61.5 hr (2.6 days); from state elk feedgrounds within 97.5 hr (4.1 days); and from Grand Teton National Park within 132 hr (5.5 days). Analysis of covariance showed that there was a significant difference in fetal disappearance rates depending on habitat type and site of placement. The dominant scavengers at all locations were coyotes (Canis latrans), but ravens (Corvus corax), magpies (Pica pica), bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), black bears (Ursus americanus), grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), and probably elk and/or bison also participated in scavenging. We found that aborted fetuses could potentially serve as a source of bacterial infection for several days. 27$ :t;s Q Davis, Don
Elzer, Philip H. 2002 Brucella Vaccines in Wildlife 533-544 Veterinary Microbiology 90 20022 bison
elk
caribou
brucellosis
vaccination
biovar 4 2002 Brucellosis has been known to exist in populations of wildlife since the early part of the 20th century. At the beginning of this century in the US, Brucella abortus is a problem in elk and bison in the Greater Yellowstone Area, B. suis is prevalent in millions of feral swine in most of the southern states, and caribou/reindeer in Alaska are infected with B. suis biovar 4. Brucellosis has been virtually eliminated in domestic livestock in the US after decades of expensive governmental disease prevention, control and eradication programs. Now the most likely source of transmission of brucellosis to humans, and the risk of reintroduction of brucellosis into livestock is from infected populations of free-ranging wildlife. Brucellosis was eradicated from livestock through a combination of testing, vaccination, and removal of infected animals. The use of vaccines to control brucellosis in populations of wildlife and therefore reducing the risk of transmission to humans and livestock has been proposed in several instances. This manuscript reviews research on the use of Brucella vaccines in species of wildlife with emphasis on safety and efficacy. 544' Found in Bison Library, pdf on computer 544: file:\\O:\Library\PDFdocuments\R` ] ;t DeYoung, Henry G. 1973 The Bison is Beleaguered Again 48-55 Natural History 82 5 animal studies
Bison bison
disease
bison
Yellowstone National Park
Brucella abortus
Brucellosis
Brucella
wildlife health
bacteria May, 1973 This article gives a brief history of bison in the United States and the current issue affecting them: brucellosis. The conflict between ranchers and Yellowstone National Park is summarized and both the cattlemen's and the park's sides of the argument are detailed. DeYoung discusses ranchers' desire to vaccinate all of Yellowstone's bison and the impossibility of this task. He also describes Yellowstone National Park's program. Finally, he attempts to bring light to the larger picture, one that he feels ranchers have failed to see.rO ;;u
! Elzer, Philip H.
Davis, Donald S. 1999J Efficacy of RB51 Oral Vaccination of Elk and Safety Study of RB51 in Bison 46-51B vaccination
elk
bison
oral
RB51
abortion
serology
brucella abortus 1999 Wild ungulates are susceptible to the infection and disease known as brucellosis. Brucella abortus can infect elk (Cervus elaphus canadensis) and bison (Bison bison); and under experimental procedures, both elk and bison have transmitted the disease to cattle. There is circumstantial evidence that elk and/or bison have transmitted brucellosis to cattle under natural conditions. Large numbers of brucella-infected elk are found in the winter feedground areas of western Wyoming. The largest concentration of brucellosis infected elk frequent the winter feedgrounds of the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming, which is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. To a lesser extent, brucella-infected elk also exist in Yellowstone National Park. Wild, free-ranging bison in Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge are also known to be heavily infected with B. abortus. These animals continue to hamper the efforts of brucellosis eradication. Therefore the purpose of this report is to present the results of investigation to 1) orally vaccinate elk with B. abortus strain RB51 to mimic oral vaccination of large numbers of animals on the winter feedgrounds and determine the protection from abortion and infection, and 2) determine the safety of RB51 vaccine in pregnant female bison, non-gravid adult female bison, adult male bison and immature male and female bison. 265 Found in Bison L;v , i Elzer, Philip H.
Edmonds, Matthew D.
Hagius, Sue D.
Walker, Joel V.
Gilsdorf, Michael J.
Davis, Donald S. 1998/ Safety of Brucella abortus Strain RB51 in Bison 825-829 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 34 4 Wildlife Disease AssociationJ bison
Brucella abortus
RB51
safety
strain RB51
vaccination
wildlife health
October, 1998U To determine the safety of Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccine in American bison, 31 animals from a herd with brucellosis were used. In October 1996, 10 adult bison males and 7 calves were vaccinated with the standard calfhood cattle dose of 1.8x10^10 cfu of SRB51 subcutaneously while the adult females received the standard adult cattle dose of 1x10^9 cfu. Western immunoblot indicated the presence of SRB51 antibodies following vaccination. To evaluate prolonged bacterial colonization of tissues, the adult males, calves, and three adult females were divided into two groups which were slaughtered at either 13 or 16 weeks post-vaccination. At necropsy, tissue samples were obtained for B. abortus culture from the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and reproductive tract of each animal. While B. abortus field strain was cultured from one adult bull, no SRB51 was isolated from any of the animals. Seven pregnant females were monitored until parturition for signs of abortions and fetal lesions. Six cows delivered healthy calves and one delivered a dead full-term calf that was brucellosis negative. Based on these results administration of SRB51 to bison did not cause prolonged bacterial colonization of tissues in calves, adult males, or adult females. Furthermore, SRB51 did not induce abortions following vaccination in the second month of gestation. 3900 http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/reprint/34/4/8252 Found in Bison Library and online, pdf on computer 390f Dept of Veterinary Science, LA State Univ. Ag. Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
pelzer@unix1.sncc.lsu.edu NatureBib ID: 652100o a;w & Ferrari, Matthew J.
Garrott, Robert A. 2002B Bison and Elk: Brucellosis Seroprevalence on a Shared Winter Range 1246-1254 Journal of Wildlife Management 66 4 bison
Bison bison
Cervus elaphus
disease transmission
wildlife health
brucellosis
brucella abortus
elk
transmission
disease
serology
brucella
bacteria 2002 An increase in the population of Yellowstone bison (Bison bison) and changes in their winter distribution have prompted concerns about the potential for bison to transmit brucellosis to cattle. Elk (Cervus elaphus) also are hosts for the disease organism and could play a role as reservoirs for the disease. Environmental conditions on the Madison-Firehole winter range promote a high degree of range overlap between bison and elk (53% in Dec to 76% in May). Radiocollared elk were located within 100 m of bison 18% of the time, and commingling between species was positively correlated with snowpack. We investigated the seroprevalence of elk of the Madison-Firehole winter range and made comparisons to other elk populations in the region as an indicator of potential for interspecies transmission of brucellosis in the wild. We found that the seroprevalence rate in the Madison-Firehole elk (3%; n=73) was consistent with elk that do not commingle with bison (0-1%) and lower than in elk associated with supplemental feeding programs (25-37%). Despite high levels of commingling, the seroprevalence rate in the Madison elk herd suggests that interspecies transmission from bison to elk in the Madison-Firehole is low.[ http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-541X%28200210%2966%3A4%3C1246%3ABAEBSO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-E' Found in Bison Library, pdf on computer? file:\\O:\Library\PDFdocumeI ;6
P.J. White 2006E Yellowstone Wildlife Health Program – Ungulate Disease Surveillance Glenn Plumb Yellowstone National Park, WYX disease
general wildlife health studies
parasites
surveillance
ungulates
wildlife health
July 13, 2006 We conduct general and targeted surveillance to monitor the exposure of ungulates in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) to various diseases and parasites k h~;z
Gern, William A. 1995+ Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area 19p. University of Wyoming Institute for Environment and Natural Resource Research and Policy Forum on Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area Laramie, Wyoming University of Wyoming Greater Yellowstone Area
Brucellosis
bison
GYIBC
disease
livestock
transmission
wildlife health
wildlife
brucella brucella abortus bacteria September 7-9, 1995 At its September 8-9, 1995 forum, the Board of the University of Wyoming's Institute for Environment and Natural Resource Research and Policy will focus on policies and procedures needed to resolve the controversy surrounding wildlife and brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA). The Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee (GYIBC) was recently formed to bring together representatives from agencies with statutory obligations (hereafter referred to as legal stakeholders), a necessary step in reaching solution. Discussion of this controversy is timely because of the significant current interest in resolving the problem. Issues raised by this controversy illustrate many of the difficult resource management problems confronting Wyoming and other western states, including:
1) Wildlife-livestock conflicts that occur when setting priorities for public land use.
2) Rural development in the West. Ranchers face increasing operating costs and pressure to subdivide in the face of rising real estate prices, driven in part by the influx of people attracted by the natural beauty and wildlife. Yet ranches contain important wildlife habitat that is lost when land is subdivided.
3) One of the approaches to the brucellosis problem has been to shoot trespassing bison. This stirs up the anti-hunting debate and the increasingly vocal animal rights advocates.
4) Scientists disagree about the effects of brucellosis and its possible transmission in the wild. This illustrates a frequent policy problem: the need to identify the "best available" science and to use those scientific findings as the basis for policy. Another challenging area is how to apply laboratory studies to the wild.
5) Ecosystem management is a complex component of natural resource management. The GYA involves multiple federal and state agencies and private landholders with conflicting management objectives. Overall management of the entire ecosystemw? Ԡ;{ k M Gogan, P. J.
Podruzny, Kevin M.
Olexa, Edward M.
Pac, Helga Ihsle
Frey, Kevin 2005@ Yellowstone Bison Fetal Development and Phenology of Parturition 1716-1730 Journal of Wildlife Management 69 4w bison
birth synchrony
parturition
pregnancy
bison
fetus
brucellosis
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
transmission 2005 Knowledge of Yellowstone bison (Bison bison) parturition patterns allows managers to refine risk assessments and manage to reduce the potential for transmission of brucellosis between bison and cattle. We used historical (1941) and contemporary (1989–2002) weights and morphometric measurements of Yellowstone bison fetuses to describe fetal growth and to predict timing and synchrony of parturition. Our method was supported by agreement between our predicted parturition pattern and observed birth dates for bison that were taken in to captivity while pregnant. The distribution of parturition dates in Yellowstone bison is generally right-skewed with a majority of births in April and May and few births in the following months. Predicted timing of parturition was consistently earlier for bison of Yellowstone’s northern herd than central herd. The predicted median parturition date for northern herd bison in the historical period was 3 to 12 days earlier than for 2 years in the contemporary period, respectively. Median predicted birth dates and birthing synchrony differed within herds and years in the contemporary period. For a single year of paired data, the predicted median birth date for northern herd bison was 14 days earlier than for central herd bison. This difference is coincident with an earlier onset of spring plant growth on the northern range. Our findings permit refinement of the timing of separation between Yellowstone bison and cattle intended to reduce the probability of transmission of brucellosis from bison to cattle.' Found in Bison Library, pdf on computerQ File://O:\Library\PDFdocuments\Collaring+Telemet W ;|
C Gross, John E.
Lubow, Bruce C.
Miller, Michael W.
Kreeger, Terry J. 1998` Applying Dynamic Modeling and Adaptive Management to Brucellosis Control in the Yellowstone Area 26 Colorado State University bison
elk
management
brucellosis
Greater Yellowstone Area
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
adaptive management
modeling
February 1998 Brucellosis is an economically, ecologically, and politically important disease that causes abortions in cattle, elk, and bison. A 6-decade, $3.5 billion eradication effort has eliminated brucellosis in most of the United States, and the primary remaining reservoir of brucellosis is now in bison and elk inhabiting the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA). This reservoir, established nearly a century ago, threatens achievement of the national goal to eradicate brucellosis in the United States. Current and proposed plans to manage brucellosis in the GYA have not been quantitatively analyzed, and the lack of an objective analysis has led to a political climate characterized by confrontations between citizens, state, and federal agencies. We plan to develop models that forecast the dynamics of brucellosis, identify the most effective management strategies in the face of uncertainty, and provide clear guidance for policy and management actions to control or eradicate brucellosis throughout the GYA.
We focus on four tasks to achieve these goals. First, we will collect, analyze, and synthesize information needed to simulate brucellosis dynamics and place this information into databases that can be used by citizens or agencies to confirm our analyses or to conduct their own. Second, we will expand and refine our model of brucellosis dynamics and integrate the model with the database. Third, we will conduct an assessment of management actions that incorporates costs and uncertainties. The first three tasks form the basis for our final task, in which we develop optimal and adaptive management strategies. We will use stochastic dynamic programming to identify the best state-dependent strategy with important suboptimal alternatives and management strategies to address the most critical information deficits. Adaptive management strategies provide an optimal tradeoff between the need to manage for current benefits and the research will vastly improve the ability of state and federal agenci
X
;} 3 Heisey, Dennis M.
Joly, Damien O.
Messier, Francois 2006T The Fitting of General Force-of-Infection Models to Wildlife Disease Prevalence Data 2356-2365 Ecology 87 9o bison
disease
modeling
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
tuberculosis
Mycobacterium bovis September, 2006* Researchers and wildlife managers increasingly land themselves in situations where they must deal with infectious wildlife diseases such as chronic wasting disease, brucellosis, tuberculosis, and West Nile virus. Managers are often charged with designing and implementing control strategies, and researchers often seek to determine factors that influence and control the disease process. All of these activities require the ability to measure some indication of a disease’s foothold in a population and evaluate factors affecting that foothold. The most common type of data available to managers and researchers is apparent prevalence data. Apparent disease prevalence, the proportion of animals in a sample that are positive for the disease, might seem like a natural measure of disease’s foothold, but several properties, in particular, its dependency on age structure and the biasing effects of disease-associated mortality, make it less than ideal. In quantitative epidemiology, the ‘‘force of infection,’’ or infection hazard, is generally the preferred parameter for measuring a disease’s foothold, and it can be viewed as the most appropriate way to ‘‘adjust’’ apparent prevalence for age structure. The typical ecology curriculum includes little exposure to quantitative epidemiological concepts such as cumulative incidence, apparent prevalence, and the force of infection. The goal of this paper is to present these basic epidemiological concepts and resulting models in an ecological context and to illustrate how they can be applied to understand and address basic epidemiological questions. We demonstrate a practical approach to solving the heretofore intractable problem of fitting general force-of-infection models to wildlife prevalence data using a generalized regression approach. We apply the procedures to Mycobacterium bovis (bovine tuberculosis) prevalence in bison (Bison bison) in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada, and demonstrate strong age dependency in the force of infection as well as an inc{ E;4 W Shannon M. Barber-Meyer
Craig R. Johnson
Michael P. Murtaugh
L. David Mech
P. J. White
2007D Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Values In Elk Neonates 421-426 Journal of Mammalogy 88 2 Cervus elaphus
cytokine
elk
immunocompetence
interleukin-6
survival
tumor necrosis factor-alpha
Yellowstone National Park
wildlife health 2007 Serological indicators of general condition would be helpful for monitoring or assessing ungulate wildlife. Toward that end, we report the 1st reference values for 2 cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), in neonatal elk (Cervus elaphus). We obtained blood samples from 140 calves ≤ 6 days old in Yellowstone National Park during summer 2003-2005. IL-6 values ranged from 0 to 1.21 pg/ml with a median of 0.03 pg/ml. TNF-a values ranged from 0 to 225.43 pg/ml with a median of 1.85 pg/ml. IL-6 and TNF-a concentrations were not significant predictors of elk calf survival through 21 days. Development of ungulate-based IL-6 and TNF-a assays that provide greater sensitivity than cross-reacting human-based assays could be helpful in monitoring ungulate condition and health status comparisons among herds. Such information could provide indirect assessments of range quality or environmental influences among herds.A Found at Yellowstone Research Library and online, pdf on computerU http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1612&context=icwdm_usdanwr
%Є;5
Kim A. Keating 2002a History of pronghorn population monitoring, research, and management in Yellowstone National Park 70 Bozeman, Montana Montana State University decline
demographics
disease
distribution
genetics
habitat use
management
pronghorn antelope
wildlife health
general wildlife health studies March 26, 2002 Pronghorn antelope in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) persist in a small population that historically has experienced recurrent, sometimes dramatic declines. They apparently are isolated from other pronghorns, depend partly on private lands for winter range, experience heavy predation of fawns, and concentrate during winter in a relatively small area, thereby increasing their vulnerability to factors like disease or locally extreme weather. Overall, the situation raises serious concerns about the long-term viability of this population. Although such concerns are not new, evidence of a dramatic population decline since 1991 and continued poor recruitment has created a renewed sense of urgency. Recent efforts to revitalize pronghorn research in YNP began with fawn recruitment and habitat use studies, initiated in 1999 and 2000. With those studies drawing to a close, YNP is reviewing the status and direction of its pronghorn program. The Yellowstone Pronghorn Conservation Assessment Workshop was convened in YNP in January, 2002, to appraise the current state of knowledge about this pronghorn population and make recommendations about future management and research needs. A review of pronghorn population change, management, and research in YNP was commissioned in May, 2001, to provide historical background for workshop participants. Following is a written summary of that review.
The process of locating materials for this review was limited to 3 months. Not all relevant materials were discovered or reviewed in that time. In particular, it was not possible to find and review all original sources of information. Also, except for occasional anecdotal accounts, weather records were not reviewed, leaving a potentially serious gap in our understanding of the forces driving changes in pronghorn population counts and estimates over time. Despite these deficiencies, considerable information was reviewed, earlier summaries of population classification and count data were updated, and previously uncited sources of information were identified that challenge important aspects of previous interpretations of the history of pronghorns and pronghorn management in YNP. Information is ; S Januszewski, Matt C.
Olsen, Steven C.
McLean, Robert G.
Clark, Larry
Rhyan, Jack C. 2001j Experimental Infection of Nontarget Species of Rodents and Birds with Brucella abortus Strain RB51 Vaccine 532-537 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 37 3 brucella abortus
vaccination
strain RB51
nontarget species
rodents
birds
brucellosis
biosafety
animal studies deer mice
disease
ground squirrels
non-targets
ravens
RB51
voles
wildlife health
July, 2001 The Brucella abortus vaccine strain RB51 (SRB51) is being considered for use in the management of brucellosis in wild bison (Bison bison) and elk (Cervus elaphus) populations in the Greater Yellowstone Area (USA). Evaluation of the vaccine's safety in non-target species was considered necessary prior to field use. Between June 1995 and December 1999, ground squirrels (Spermophilus richardsonii, n=21), deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus, n=14), prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster, n=21), and ravens (Corvus corax, n=13) were orally inoculated with SRB51 or physiologic saline. Oral and rectal swabs and blood samples were collected for bacteriologic evaluation. Rodents were necropsied at 8 to 10 wk and 12 to 21 wk post inoculation (PI), and ravens at 7 to 11 wk PI. Spleen, liver and reproductive tissues were collected for histopathologic evaluation. No differences in clinical signs, appetite, weight loss or gain, or activity were observed between saline- and SRB51-inoculated animals in all four species. Oral and rectal swabs from all species were negative throughout the study. In tissues obtained from SRB51-inoculated animals, the organism was isolated from six of seven (86%) ground squirrels, on of six (17%) deer mice, non of seven voles, and on of five (20%) ravens necropsied at 8,8,10, and 7 wk PI, respectively. Tissues from four of seven (57%) SRB51-inoculated ground squirrels were culture positive for the organism 12wk PI; SRB51 was not recovered from deer mice, voles, or ravens necropsied 12, 21, or 11wk, respectively, PI. SRB51 was not recovered from saline-inoculated ground squirrels, deer mice, or voles at any time but was recovered from on saline-inoculated raven at necropsy 7 wk PI, likely attributable to contact with SRB51-inoculated ravens in an adjacent aviary room. Spleen was the primary tissue site of colonization in ground squirrels, followed by the liver and reproductive organs. The results indicate oral exposure to SRB51 does not produce morbidity or mortality in ravens, ground squirrels, de G ; ! Joly, Damien O.
Messier, Francois 2004S Factors Affecting Apparent Prevalence of Tuberculosis and Brucellosis in Wood Bison 623-631 Journal of Animal Ecology 73e tuberculosis
brucellosis
disease
wood buffalo national park
bison
brucella abortus
brucella
bacteria 2004 1. Bison (Bison bison) abundance in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada, declined from in excess of 10 000 bison in the late 1960s to a low of 2200 bison in the late 1990s.
2. Bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) and brucellosis (Brucella abortus), were introduced to Wood Buffalo National Park in the late 1920s. As each of these pathogens have the potential to reduce survival and reproduction in bison, they are suspected to have played a role in the decline in bison abundance.
3. We live-captured bison for disease testing in February and March of 1997, 1998 and 1999. Forty-nine percent tested positive for tuberculosis (i.e. were positive on the caudal fold test and/or fluorescent polarization assay, n= 342). Further, 30·9% of bison were seropositive for brucellosis (i.e. agglutinated in the buffered-plate antigen test and had a titre of 1 : 5 in the complement fixation test or had a titre of = 1 : 10 in the complement fixation test, n = 346). Prevalence for both diseases increased with age and males were more likely to test positive for tuberculosis. Prevalence of either disease did not appear to be directly related to density of bison, as prevalence rates were not greater in the high density Delta population than the lower density Hay Camp and Nyarling River populations.
4. Comparison of our results to previous brucellosis and tuberculosis surveys in Wood Buffalo National Park indicates that prevalence of neither pathogen is a direct function of bison density. These pathogens are endemic within the bison population of the park.I http://ww subject areas: distr S H; h [ Kreeger, Terry J.
DeLiberto, Thomas J.
Olsen, Steven C.
Edwards, William H.
Cook, Walter E. 2002R Safety of Brucella abortus Strain RB51 Vaccine in Non-Target Ungulates and Coyotes 552-557 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 38 3x safety
vaccination
nontarget species
coyotes
Brucella abortus
brucellosis
Cervus elaphus
elk
strain RB51
wildlife health 2002U Brucellosis is endemic in free-ranging elk (Cervus elaphus) and bison (Bison bison) in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA, USA). It is possible that an oral brucellosis vaccine could be developed and disseminated in the GYA to reduce disease transmission. Should this occur, non-target species other than elk and bison may come in contact with the vaccine resulting in morbidity or mortality. To assess biosafety, bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis; n=10), pronghorn (Antilocapra americana; n=9), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus; n=11), moose (Alces alces shirasi; n=10), and coyotes (Canis latrans; n=24) were given a single oral dose of at least 1.031010 colony-forming units of Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccine (RB51). Animals were randomly divided into vaccinated and control groups. Ungulates were captured, blood sampled, and swabs taken from the nares, rectum, and vagina for bacterial culture on day 0, 42, and 84 post-inoculation (PI). On day 42, the vaccinated group became a control group and vice versa in a crossover design. Blood and swab samples were taken from coyotes on days 0, 14, 28, and 42 PI. There was no crossover for the coyote study. Two coyotes from each group were also euthanized and cultured for RB51 on days 42, 84, 168, and 336 PI. Blood samples were analyzed for hematologic changes and antibodies to RB51 using a modified dot-blot assay. No morbidity or mortality as a result of vaccination was observed in any animal. There were no differences in hematologic parameters at any time for ungulate species; vaccinated coyotes had higher hematocrit, hemoglobin, and eosinophil counts (P≤0.006). All individuals, except some moose, seroconverted to RB51. Strain RB51 was cultured from oropharyngeal lymph nodes from one coyote 42 days PI and from a moose 117 days PI. This study suggested that a single oral dose of RB51 was safe in these species. 243' Found in Bison ; Kock, Michael D.
Berger, Joel 1987r Chemical Immobilization of Free-Ranging North American Bison (Bison bison) in Badlands National Park, South Dakota 625-633 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 23 4 animal studies
genetics
mammals
management
monitoring
vertebrates
wildlife health
wildlife management
immobilization
bison
badlands national park
capture
chemical immobilization
vaccination Twenty-six free-ranging North American bison (Bison bison) (22 adult bulls, one yearling male and three adult females) were immobilized using a combination of carfentanil and xylazine. For carfentanil the dose range (mean ± SD) was 1.8-5.0 pg/kg (2.4 ± 0.7 pg/kg) and for xylazine 0.004-0.125 mg/kg (0.07 ± 0.03 mg/kg). Induction time (mean ± SE) was 14.2 ± 2.9 mm (median 8 mm), while the total mean reversal time after administration of a narcotic antagonist was 9.0 ± 1.4 mm (median 8 mm). Only one animal that received the highest initial dose of carfentanil (2.5 mg) showed evidence of becoming “re-narcotized.” Five animals required two or more doses of carfentanil before becoming immobilized. Overall, small volumes of drug used (mean = 0.62 ml for carfentanil, 0.53 ml for xylazine) enabled the use of 1 to 2 ml darts, inc' P; Mundinger, John G. 1997! A Perspective on Bison Management 355-359H International Symposium on Bison Ecology and Management in North America Irby, Lynn R.
Knight, James Bozeman, MT Bison
Bison bison
brucellosis
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
management
wildlife health
Montana
brucella abortus
brucella
bacteria June 4-7, 1997 The management of bison that migrate from Yellowstone National Park into Montana is a public controversy because the responsible agencies do not respect the missions of the other agencies. People with a variety of divergent values are keenly interested in the issue and each party in the controversy chooses to ignore one or more of the realities that define a responsible decision space. Absent a genuine commitment to cooperation and a willing"k \; Peterson, Markus J. 19913 Wildlife Parasitism, Science, and Management Policy 782-789 Journal of Wildlife Management 55 4h adaptive management
general wildlife health studies
management
parastism
policy
wildlife
wildlife health 1991f Wildlife managers lack a scientifically sound basis from which to formulate management policy regarding many host-parasite interactions. One contributing factor to this problem is the paucity of hypothetico-deductive (H-D) research concerning the ecological consequences of host-parasite interactions. A comparison of justifications used for wildlife brucellosis management policy in Wood Buffalo National Park (NP) (Canada) and the Greater Yellowstone Area (U.S.) demonstrates how perspective (with or without science) can drive policy information. If wildlife scientists consistently used the H-D method to gather reliable knowledge pertinent to an ecological perspective of wildlife brucellosis (or other host-parasite interactions), their contribution toward the formation of disease management policy would be more significant. In situations where disease management must commence prior to the completion of manipulative experiments (which admittedly can be difficult to apply with free-roaming wildlife), adaptive resource management, as suggested by Walters (1986), could profitably be used by used to test hypothese3 (;
r & Quist, Charlotte F.
Nettles, Victor F. 2003 Development of a Protocol to Evaluate Remotely Administered Ballistic Implants as a Vaccine Delivery System for Bison in Yellowstone National Park 32 Yellowstone National Park bison
brucellosis
Yellowstone National Park
ballistic implant
vaccination
vaccine
remote delivery
wildlife health
vaccine delivery methods Final Report
June 30, 2003U A long-term goal identified in the Interagency Bison Management Plan is to implement a brucellosis vaccination program within the Yellowstone National Park. In order for the National Park Service (NPS) to complete this program, an environmental planning process must be completed. The internal scoping process has identified that an Environmental Impact Statement will be the procedure of choice for document in the decision on how to proceed. Data on the safety parameters of remote ballistic implants as a vaccine delivery system are necessary to complete the environmental analysis. This proposal describes a project to develop a protocol for evaluating remotely delivered bioabsorbable ballistic implants (Such as the BiobulletR, Ballistic Technologies, Inc., Newcastle, OK USA) as they relate to the following characteristics: (a) penetration capability; (b) acute traumatic injury; (c) accuracy requirements as defined by the safe target zone on bison; and (d) ballistic implant payload deposition. The project was conducted as a collaborative e o @;
P Roffe, Thomas J.
Jones, Lee C.
Coffin, Ken
Sweeney, Steven J.
Hansen, Richard D.P Parental Delivery of Vaccines to Free-Ranging Bison in Yellowstone National Park 4G Biological Resources Division, USGS-USDOI; Ballistic Technologies, Inc.u biobullet
bison
brucellosis
national bison range
remote delivery
vaccination
wildlife health
vaccine delivery methodsN
Yellowstone National Park bison have been affected by bovine brucellosis for at least 70 years (Rush, 1932; Tunnicliff and Marsh, 1935). Experimental infections in controlled conditions (Davis et al., 1990) and under some range conditions (Flagg, 1983) have suggested brucellosis induces abortions and can transmit to cattle. Recent studies (Roffe et al. 1999a; Rhyan et al., 2001) have shown that the epidemiology and pathogenesis of brucellosis in Yellowstone bison is similar to that found in chronically infected cattle. Whether and, if so, how to deal with this economically important cattle disease in wildlife has been controversial, and has led to numerous interagency negotiations as well as development of the state-federal cooperative Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee. One element that has widespread support is use of a safe, effective and deliverable brucellosis vaccine in free-ranging wildlife. Vaccine RB51 has been shown safe in bison calves (Roffe, et al. 1999b) and is currently being considered for use in Yellowstone bison under the negotiated management plan (Anonymous, 2000). Most efforts on vaccine research for bison have focused on safety and efficacy. Deliverability has received little attention even though current brucellosis vaccines are most effective by the parenteral route. Such a route of delivery will be logistically difficult in free-ranging wildlife.
Ballistically-delivered S19 has been used for years on fed elk populations in the southern Greater Yellowstone Area and parts of western Wyoming (Smith et al., 1996). This system uses a hydroxypropyl cellulose biodegradable bullet (biobullet) propelled by compressed air to parenterally deliver encased, lyophilized vaccine. Vaccination of fed elk occurs in very high density populations and requires marking individuals to ensure a high proportion of the target population is vaccinated and multiple vaccinations are minimized. External marking is currently the limiting factor for elk vaccination because the ballistic characteristics of the paint-ball markers is considerably poorer than the biobullet. In our study, we tested the capability of state-of-the-art ballistic systems to effectively vaccinate bison and hypothesized that a high proportion of targeted bison could be effectively vaccinated without external marking. Without the need for an external marker vaccination range should increase. This project used a serum biomarker incorporated into a mock vaccine biobullet to test the hypothesis, and to assess the intrusiveness and assist in development of a field p~; * Schullery, Paul
Brewster, Wayne
Mack, John 1997+ Bison in Yellowstone: A Historical Overview 326-336H International Symposium on Bison Ecology and Management in North America Irby, Lynn R
Knight, J. Bozeman, Montanar animal studies
bison
management
APHIS Policy
GYIBC
brucellosis
brucella abortus
history
bacteria
wildlife health June 4-7, 1997 Bison were prehistorically common in the Yellowstone area, but were virtually exterminated by 1900. Energetic conservation efforts, involving the introduction of animals from domestic herds elsewhere in the US, intensive bison ranching operations from 1902-1950, frequent culling of herds, and other activities, resulted in the reestablishment of three herd groups in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) by 1950. Brucellosis was identified in Yellowstone bison in 1917, and its presence drove management direction, especially regarding possible emigration of bison from the park to surrounding historic winter ranges. Ungulate herd reductions in the 1960s, based on prevailing beliefs about range condition and perceived "overgrazing," reduced bison to a few hundred, but since 1967 and the initiation of the natural regulation policy, bison numbers increased to more than 3,000. Continued controversy surrounds interagency efforts to manage the bison to ensure their survival, satisfy public desire for bison on public lands, and protect livestock interests. Ongoing elements of the bison management issue include attempts to control bison movements beyond park boundaries, especially to the north and west. When the state of Montana achieved brucellosis-free status in 1985, concerns increased over possible infection of Montana livestock by bison, leading to a series of draft environmental assessments and environmental impact statements and a 1995 lawsuit brought by Montana against the NPS and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. All involved agencies currently participate in the Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee to develop a long-term management st ; K White, S. N.
Halbert, Natalie D.
Taylor, K. H.
Derr, James N.
Womack, J. E. 2005# TLR4 Variation in Yellowstone Bison 511-542 Animal Genetics 36 bison
genetics
immunity
Brucella
Mycobacteria
Pasteurella
pathogens
Salmonella
TLR4
tuberculosis
wildlife health
Mycobacterium bovis
brucella abortus
bacteria 2005 Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a cell-surface receptor that activates innate and adaptive immune responses. Because it recognizes a broad class of pathogen associated molecular patterns, including lipopolysaccharides, TLR4 is a candidate gene for resistance to a large number of pathogens. Important examples are Gramnegative Salmonella,1 Pasteurella,2, and Brucella, as well as Mycobacteria,3 which include the causative agents of tuber \; _ Zaugg, Jerry L.
Taylor, Sharon K.
Anderson, Bruce C.
Hunter, David L.
Ryder, Jerry
Divine, Mona 1993c Hematologic, Serologic Values, Histopathologic and Fecal Evaluations of Bison from Yellowstone Park 453-457 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 29 3 disease
hematology
fecal
parasites
animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
blood
brucellosis
chemistry
liver
mammals
management
natural resource management
pellets (fecal)
physiology
population
preservation
urine
wildlife health
Helminth ova.
nematodes July 1993f Hematologic and blood chemistry parameters were measured in 149 free-ranging American bison (Bison bison) from Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (USA). Additionally, histopathologic evaluations of lung, liver, spleen, kidney, and mesenteric and bronchial lymph nodes were made from ten animals. Forty-five fecal samples were screened for the presence of helminth ova. Leukopenia and markedly low blood urea nitrogen concentrations were the most notable differences observed from other bison populations. All t # P ; 5 Williams, Elizabeth S.
Steven L. Cain
Donald S. Davis 1994! Brucellosis: The Disease in Bison 7-19n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions? Thorne, E. Tom, Mark S. Boyce, Paul Nicoletti, Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committeew animal studies
bacteria
brucella
brucella abortus
bison (Bison bison)
brucellosis
disease
ecosystems
wildlife health September 26-28, 1994s Brucellosis has been recognized in bison (Bison bison) since Mohler (1917) reported abortion and serologic evidence of exposure to Brucella in three captive cow bison in Yellowstone National Par (YNP), Wyoming. Since that time, brucellosis in free-ranging and captive or ranched bison has been the subject of investigation and control, primarily by animal disease regulatory agencies, including the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Canada, and the various states and provinces. Though brucellosis has been known to occur in bison for more than 70 years, has been the target of eradication programs for over 50 years, and had been extensively studied in cattle, there are relatively little carefully collected and peer reviewed data available on brucellosis in bison to guide management of this disease. Such basic information as the epizootiology of brucellosis in bison under free-ranging conditions, or even under ranched conditions, and pathogenesis are not well understood. There is a wealth of serologic data (Meyer and Meagher 1995b); however, seldom is this information placed in the context of the whole animal utilizing microbiology and publicly owned, free-ranging bison herds have been cleared of brucellosis via vaccination and test and slaughter methods, little data generated by these procedures are available in the published literature. Such opportunities should be used for careful and thorough collection of data with publication in scientific journals where it can be scrutinized, debated, and used.
Within the last 10 years, controlled research and investigation of the natural history of brucellosis in bison extended our knowledge beyond regulatory emphasis. The purpose of this transmission of B. abortus by bison, diagnostic techniques and interpretation for bison, and a case study of the history and biological consequences of brucellosis in the Jackson bison herd (JBH), Teton County, Wyoming. Information presented in this review will, for the most part, exclude the YNP biso W ; E Thorne, E. Tom
Scott G. Smith
Keith Aune
David Hunter
Thomas J. Roffe 1994 Brucellosis: The Disease in Elk 33-46p Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions
/ Thorne, E. Tom, Mark S. Boyce, Paul Nicoletti, Terry J. Kreeger
Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions
Jackson, WY
Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee
September 26-28, 1994
Jackson, WY
X Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee
animal studies
brucellosis
cattle
disease
ecosystems
elk (Cervus elaphus)
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 26-28, 1994
v Although brucellosis was recognized in elk of the GYA before the brucellosis eradication program was initiated in 1934, the disease in elk received the most attention in the last two decades as implications to the national goal of eradicating the disease became apparent. The problem received considerable attention as research was completed; as brucellosis control efforts for some elk were implemented; and as conflicts between elk with brucellosis and cattle, public lands grazing, and the national brucellosis eradiation program were recognized. Although a few authors questioned the occurrence and importance of brucellosis in elk (Robbins et al. 1982), most recognized the situation as a source of conflict and a major management problem (Kistner et al. 1982; Boyce 1989; Davis 1990; Gloyd 1990; Thorne 1992; Thorne and Herriges 1992; Thorne et al. 1991 a, b, 1995; Anon. 1992; Keiter 1993; Carlman 1994; Smith and Robbins 1994). Although vaccination had been regarded as "...doomed to failure..." (Kistner et al. 1982: 188) and attempts to eradicate brucellosis considered unrealistic or difficult (Kistner et al. 1982, Boyce 1989, Davis 1990), WGFD, with assistance of APHIS, has embarked on an ambitious vaccination and Brucellosis-Feedground-Habitat program in an attempt to eradicate brucellosis fr ; k A Meagher, Margaret Mary
Steven Cain
Tom Toman
Jim Kropp
Don Bosmam 1994K Bison in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Status, Distribution, and Management 47-55n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions< Thorne, E. Tom
Mark S. Boyce
Paul Nicoletti
Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WY
W Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee Artiodactyla (Even-toed Ungulates)
bacteria
bison
Bison bison
Bovidae
bovids
brucella
brucella abortus
brucellosis
distribution
Mammalia
mammals
management
population
status
wildlife health September 26-28, 1994
/ Two free-ranging bison (Bison bison) populations inhabit the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA). These center in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and in Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Both populations present a complex of biological, social and political factors and issues involving several federal and state agencies and diverse public interests. For both populations, we present the current status, distribution, movements, and L ; O Toman, Tom L., Tom Lemke, Lonn Kuck, Bruce L. Smith, Scott G. Smith, Keith Aune 1994: Elk in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Status and Management 56-64n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions? Thorne, E. Tom, Mark S. Boyce, Paul Nicoletti, Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committeew animal studies
brucellosis
disease
ecosystems
elk (Cervus elaphus)
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 26-28, 1994M Approximately 120,000 elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) inhabit the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA). These elk use land in two National Park s, seven National Forests, one National Wildlife Refuge, Bureau of Land Management lands, private lands, and state lands within three states. Three state wildlife agencies are involved in cooperative management systems with the land management agencies and private landowners. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) manages for 63,000 elk, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) manages up to 49,000-6,000 elk, and Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MDFWP) manages up to 49,000 elk in the GYA. The remaining 1,600 elk use lands within Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and are managed by the National Park Service, although many more elk reside within YNP during summer and spend winter on public and private lands within the states. Agencies cooperatively manage elk and their habitat resources through complex interagency cooperation. Each elk management unit defined by the three states is administered with guidelines specific to that unit. Various biological and political factors weigh heavily on these units. Population management has historically been the focus of these management schemes. The management of diseases, particularly brucellosis, has had a varying degree of interest and emphasis among the elk management units in recent years. As the number of infected cattle herds decreases, more emphasis is placed on brucellosis found in elk in the GYA. Recent liti .
$@; j V Smith, Scott G.
Steve Kilpatrick
Arthur D. Reese
Bruce L. Smith
Tom Lemke
David Hunter 1994N Wildlife Habitat, Feedgrounds, and Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Arean Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions< Thorne, E. Tom
Mark S. Boyce
Paul Nicoletti
Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee animal studies
bacteria
bison (Bison bison)
brucella brucella abortus
brucellosis
cattle
disease
ecosystems
elk (Cervus elaphus)
habitats
wildlife health September 26-28, 1994 Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and other large ungulates in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) are supported by a variety of habitat types. While many components of habitat (food, cover, water, and space) are needed to support wildlife on an annual basis, wildlife managers in the GYA traditionally view winter weather and availability of winter habitat as a major limiting factor for animal survival. Various management practices are employed throughout the Rocky Mountain region to address loss of wildlife to winter conditions. These practices include legal harvest to remove annual surplus and maintain a balance between habitat and animal numbers, habitat improvement to increase plant productivity, land acquisitions to provide space for wintering wildlife (large ungulates in particular), etc. Winter feeding programs have been implemented in some areas in response to insufficient habitat to support desired populations
The occurrence of brucellosis in elk has been perpetuated by the unnaturally close and crowded conditions associated with feeding programs. Intraspecific transmission occurs with exposure to aborted fetuses and associated reproductive products. On feedgrounds, this exposure is virtually assured, given the concentration of animals on feedlines.
Brucellosis in wild elk populations reduces their reproductive potential (Thorne et al. 1979). However, a more serious concern is the potential threat of transmission to cattle. If any of the three states lost it s brucellosis free status, considerable economic costs would result. If a wildlife source of brucellosis was identified, lawsuits would target wildlife agencies for financial compensation for cattle losses.
The following chapter describes how habitat loss in the GYA led to elk feeding and, consequently, brucellosis in wild populations. This issues and strategies employed by Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho are described. Emphasis is ps g$; ! Frye, Granville H.
Bob R. Hillman 19944 National Cooperative Brucellosis Eradication Program 79-85n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions< Thorne, E. Tom
Mark S. Boyce
Paul Nicoletti
Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis CommitteeT brucellosis
livestock
eradication
wildlife health
brucella brucella abortus bacteria September 26-28, 1994I The goal of the Cooperative State--Federal National Brucellosis Eradication Program is to eliminate brucellosis from the domestic livestock of the United States by 1998. Nineteen ninety-four marks the 60th anniversary of the beginning of this cooperative effort and the 40th anniversary of when eradication became the objective.% Found at Yellowstone Research LibraryG `, ; Enright, Fred M.
Paul Nicoletti 1994 Vaccination against Brucellosis 86-95n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions< Thorne, E. Tom
Mark S. Boyce
Paul Nicoletti
Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis CommitteeH bison
Brucella
brucellosis
livestock
vaccine
wildlife health
vaccination September 26-28, 1994 Nearly 100 years of research have been devoted to developing vaccines to prevent Brucella spp. infections in livestock. From an historical perspective, the search for a better brucellosis vaccine has been both rewarding and frustrating but never dull. In the last 9 years the topic of brucellosis vaccination has been reviewed in at least five publications resulting in 87 pages of text and 424 literature citations (Alton 1985; Nicoletti 1990a, b; Plommet 1990; Adams 1990). These reviews provide even the most enthusiastic student with sufficient details related to both living and killed brucellosis vaccine development, application, and effectiveness.%] @; Jensen, Patricia 1994g U.S. Department of Agriculture Perspectives on Solving the Greater Yellowstone Area Brucellosis Problemn Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions? Thorne, E. Tom, Mark S. Boyce, Paul Nicoletti, Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committeec bison
brucellosis
cattle
elk
eradicate
vaccine
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 26-28, 19949 The Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) is far from typical and anything but tame; national interest dictates that it must remain wild. Brucellosis in the GYA is not about fenced-in cattle herds or well-managed dairy herds. It is about free-roaming elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and bison (Bison bison), wildlife that is treasured almost as much as bald eagles are as national symbols of freedom. This presents special challenges to eradication efforts and poses some tough questions.
The first question is, can brucellosis be eradicated from a region as difficult as the GYA? Experience says yes. Vaccines can and will play an important role in the prevention of brucellosis. Better vaccines mean quicker eradication and less impact on the herds. Food during leaner months. More food in the wild means more natural grazing behaviors that help prevent overcrowding and the spread of disease. Also, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed portable testing equipment that has been used successfully to eradicate brucellosis in wildlife populations A 04%2965%3A2%3C173%3AWFOEIW%3E2.0.CO%3B2-C Found online, pdf on Xangers, and touri 7n the report. 234 Found im ; \ Thorne, E. Tom
David Price
John Kopec
David Hunter
Scott G. Smith
Thomas J. Roffe
Keith Aune 1994X Efforts to Control and Eradicate Brucellosis in Wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Area 101-119n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions? Thorne, E. Tom, Mark S. Boyce, Paul Nicoletti, Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee] bison
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
brucellosis
cattle
elk
eradication
wildlife health September 26-28, 1994 Brucellosis in elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and bison (Bison bison) in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) is one of the most serious and difficult problems associated with a domestic animal disease in free-ranging wildlife in North America. This is not because of the effects of brucellosis on wildlife, but rather due to the implications to local and national livestock industries. Even though extensive efforts have not been recognized. In this paper, we d+ g ; k 1 Gates, C. Cormack
Brett T. Elkin
Ludwig N. Carbyn 1994+ The Diseased Bison Issue in Northern Canada 120-132n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions< Thorne, E. Tom
Mark S. Boyce
Paul Nicoletti
Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committeef bison
brucellosis
disease
management
tuberculosis
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 26-28, 1994 Over most of the last decade, the presence of bovine brucellosis in bison (Bison bison) in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) and bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis in some bison herds in the Greater Wood Buffalo Area (GWBA) have been the focus of attention from animal health agencies in the U.S.A. and Canada, respectively. Considerable debate has occurred between agencies and in the public sector over methods and the necessity of eradicating the diseases from wild bison. In both areas the situations have shown the characteristics of a "wicked management problem" (Rittel 1972, Mason and Mitroff 1981), including: 1) relationships and complexity of ecosystem components, the management of which might result in unexpected impacts; 2) uncertain and incomplete information, from which basic decisions were demanded; 3) ambiguity, particularly related to conflicting value systems; 4) controversy, resulting from conflicting interpretations, jurisdictions, and cultural perspectives; and 5) socioeconomic constraints, which limit the range of possible management actions and feasibility of possible solutions.
The management of diseased bison populations in northern Canada became a national issue by 1986. A clear solution to this conservation issue has not evolved despite consideration by two panels appointed by the Government of Canada. The objective of this chapter is to review the issue in Canada and to compare its characte
@ QD ; K Cheville, Norman F.
Mary Meagher
Thomas J. Roffe
Fred Enright
Mark S. Boyce 1994B Future Brucellosis Research Needs for the Greater Yellowstone Area 133-146n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions< Thorne, E. Tom
Mark S. Boyce
Paul Nicoletti
Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
brucellosis
cattle
disease
ecosystems
elk (Cervus elaphus)
research
studies
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 26-28, 1994 A vast literature exists on bovine brucellosis caused by Brucella abortus. Brucellosis, caused apparently by the same organism, occurs in bison (Bison bison) and elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) of the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) and is a focal point of concern and controversy regarding potential transmission to cattle. Clearly, the bison B. abortus and elk B. abortus relationships are similar to the bovine disease, but there are also major differences (Meyer and Meagher 1994, Thorne and Herriges 1992)
An increased biological understanding founded on scientific data is a prerequisite for sound management decisions regarding protection of livestock as an immediate goal. Here, we bring together approaches by veterinarians and field and theoretical ecologists to stimulate thinking and suggest directions for research. Primary short-term objectives of research are to provide data on which sound judgments can be made for the protection of livestock from contracting brucellosis from wild ruminants in the GYA. The long-term goal is to eliminate brucellosis, if biologically possible, from the GYA without altering wildlife populations in their natural state.
Perhaps brucellosis in bison and elk can be eliminated by blocking the transmission of B. abortus. By identifying weak links in the cycle of infection (Fig. 1), it may be possible to develop methods to prevent transmission among bison. Many of the hypothetical pathways of transmission might occur but are not significant in nature. For example, the facefly (Musca autumnalis), which has a strong tropism for bovine tears and placental fluids, takes up B. abortus and can mechanically transmit bacteria from cow to cow (Cheville et al. 1989). Yet this pathway is insufficient for maintaining bovine brucellosis in the field.
We address several levels of research effort. What can be done to protect livestock (short- and long-term) pending an increased data base? What constitutes data building blocks necessary for controlled or field studies? What is fundamental to the goal of livestock protection? And f\ $ ; m Young, Edward J.
Paul Nicoletti 1994 Brucellosis in Humans 147-153n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions? Thorne, E. Tom, Mark S. Boyce, Paul Nicoletti, Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis CommitteeY bacteria
brucella abortus
Brucella
brucellosis
disease
vaccines
wildlife health
zoonotic September 26-28, 1994 Brucellosis is one of the world's most important zoonotic diseases. Humans are accidental hosts and play no role in maintaining the disease in nature. Human infections occur through direct contact with blood, secretions, and tissues of infected animals, ingestion of unpasteurized milk or dairy products, and occasionally through accidental exposure to live Brucella vaccines in the course og D; & Hagenbarth, Jim
Raths, Dick
Eyre, John 19945 The Cattle Industries of the Greater Yellowstone Arean Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions? Thorne, E. Tom, Mark S. Boyce, Paul Nicoletti, Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committeea bison
brucellosis
cattle
management
wildlife
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 26-28, 1994 Brucellosis is a disease that affects humans, wildlife, and livestock. The Bureau of Animal Industry [now USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services (APHIS)] began a cooperative brucellosis control program in 1934 and later implemented the Uniform Methods and Rules for Brucellosis Eradication (UMR) (Frye and Hillman 1997). These regulations specify actions required by states and cattle producers to effectuate brucellosis eradication. They reward success by easing testing and transportation restrictions on individual herds and states. Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming have achieved free status and producers can sell and move cattle interstate without federally-mandated tests. A brucellosis outbreak could cause a status reduction and result in test requirements that trigger immediate increased marketing and production co ; 6 Souvigney, Jeanne-Marie
Kevin Lackey
Stephen C. Torbit 1994d Concerns about Wildlife and Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area: A Conservation Perspective 161-168n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions= Thorne, E. Tom
Mark S. Boyce
Paul Nicoletti
Terry J. Kreeger
Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis CommitteeY bacteria
bison
brucella
Brucella abortus
brucellosis
cattle
elk
livestock
wildlife health September 26-28, 1994P Many local, regional, and national conservation groups have been involved in issues surrounding the management of wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA). For most, their interest is in supporting healthy, self-sustaining wild and diverse animal populations providing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. The Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee (GYIBC) has also adopted an objective to maintain viable elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and bison (Bison bison) populations in the respective states, national parks, and wildlife refuges (GYIBC Tri-State Interagency Brucellosis Committee Meeting Minutes 1994). To that extent, then, conservation groups share a similar goal to that of the GYIBC.
For both elk and bison, the issues have been complicated by the presence of brucellosis in resident populations that have influenced their management. Yet significant debate still surrounds many of the issues about the disease in wildlife, requires that we step back and understand the role of brucellosis and associated eradicaG 4 ; + Schubert, D. J., Allen Rutberg, Phil Knight 1994S Brucella abortus in the Greater Yellowstone Area: The Animal Protection Perspective 169-177n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions? Thorne, E. Tom, Mark S. Boyce, Paul Nicoletti, Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis CommitteeT bacteria
bison
Brucella abortus
brucellosis
elk
livestock
management
wildlife health September 26-28, 1994 Federal and state agriculture agency officials and private livestock producers have expressed concern about the presence of Brucella abortus in free-ranging elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and bison (Bison bison) in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA). This is due to the perceived threat of transmission of brucellosis from these wildlife species to cattle. Despite the lack of data to substantiate this threat in bison, over 1,000 bison have been killed outside of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) since 1985. Curiously, a similar lethal strategy has not been implemented for elk. However, the elk on most of Wyoming Game and Fish Department's 22 state feedgrounds are being remotely vaccinated with Strain 19 vaccine-loaded biobullets.
Due to the multi-jurisdictional responsibility for animal and land management in the GYA, resolution of the "brucellosis problem" has been hindered by differing agency mandates and conflicting concerns by special interest groups and the public. We provide the perspective of three animal/environmental protection organizations on brucellosis in the GYA. We focus primarily on bison in YNP, though feedground and Y _( ; m Dubray, Fred
Heckert, Mark 1994Z Perspective of the Intertribal Bison Cooperative on the Yellowstone Bison Management Issue 178-180n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions? Thorne, E. Tom, Mark S. Boyce, Paul Nicoletti, Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee> bison
Native Americans
wildlife health
brucellosis
management September 26-28, 1994 Native American peoples of western North America have always had a strong cultural relationship with the bison (Bison bison). The recognition of the bison as a friend and ally is pervasive throughout the tribal cultures of the west. The bison is not just a religious symbol; it was the primary source of subsistence for western tribes until hunted to the brink of extinction. In fact, this was the primary reason behind the extermination of the bison. The U.S. government understood that the western tribes could not be subjugated as long as there were bison sufficient to sustain them, so they embarked upon a plan to remove the bison from the Indian tribes. This policy left just scattered remnants of the great herds which once roamed the continent, and it forced the western plains tribes into reservations and dependency upon the U.S. government.
Through this policy of extermination and confinement, and up to the present day, Indian people have held on to their spiritual ties with the bison. It is from this perspective that tribes are regarding the present problem of the management of the bison population in Yellowstone National Park (YNP).% Found
+ ; o Keiter, Robert B. 19943 Brucellosis and Law in the Greater Yellowstone Area 181-192n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions< Thorne, E. Tom
Mark S. Boyce
Paul Nicoletti
Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committeeh bison
brucellosis
elk
law
livestock
policy
transmit
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 26-28, 1994K
Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming have eliminated brucellosis from domestic livestock herds, but the disease persists in local wildlife populations in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) (Thorne et al. 1991a). With the states having achieved brucellosis-free status, local ranchers can freely market cattle without expensive testing requirements (General Accounting Office 1992). But the continuing prevalence of brucellosis in area wildlife, which might transmit the disease to livestock, poses a potential threat to each state's brucellosis-free classification. Both bison and elk carry the disease, and both species migrate from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, as well as the National Elk Refuge (NER), onto adjacent public and private lands where they can commingle with domestic livestock (Schullery 1986, National Park Service et al. 1990). Wyoming also maintains elk feedgrounds throughout the western portion of the state, where elk and bison have been shown to pass the disease among themselves (Thorne et al. 1991b). Although the risk of transmission between wildlife and cattle is low (General Accounting Office 1992, Meyer 1992), it is sufficiently threatening that bison, which are increasing in number and beginning to move seasonally outside the national parks, (National Park Service et al. 1990), are subject to being shot upon leaving the parks. In fact, the brucellosis controversy has generated more litigation than any other contemporary resource issue confronting the region (Keiter and Froelicher 1993).
Significantly, the law does not comprehensively address the brucellosis problem that prevails in the GYA. Although existing federal and state laws establish very clear standards governing brucellosis in domestic livestock, these laws have not been extended to wildlife. While federal law governs wildlife management on national park and national wildlife refuge lands, the states traditionally have been responsible for wildlife management on multiple-use federal lands as well as state and private lands (Coggins and Ward 1981). But federal law is largely silent on the subject of wildlife brucellosis, leaving the issue to be addressed under such laws as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Federal Tort Claims Act. Similarly, state law only addresses part of the problem. Wyoming, which has the greatest number of brucellosis-infected wildlife, does not even address the problem in its law. In short, the current patchwork of laws governing wildlife brucellosis suffers from a serious lack of clarity that complicat_ ; 3 Petera, Francis
John Mundinger
Larry L. Kruckenberg 19949 The Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee 193-194n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions< Thorne, E. Tom
Mark S. Boyce
Paul Nicoletti
Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee bison
brucellosis
cattle
elk
Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 26-28, 1994b Like a lot of things in the natural resources field, the Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee (GYIBC) was the natural evolution of a whole series of factors and events. In May, 1990, Governor Sullivan of Wyoming created a statewide task force on brucellosis. He charged the task force with developing a comprehensive plan to ensure that Wyoming's brucellosis-free status would always be retained. Twelve members who represented both livestock and wildlife interests and included state agency personnel, private# ; F Healey, Burke
Gary Weber
Al Keating
J. Lee Alley
John Adams
Glen Slack 1994I The Importance of Brucellosis Eradication to the National Cattle Industry 195-197n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions< Thorne, E. Tom
Mark S. Boyce
Paul Nicoletti
Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committeex bison
brucellosis
cattle
cattle industry
elk
eradication
management
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 26-28, 1994 The National Park Service should be commended for their efforts to sustain wildlife in the interest of the country's natural heritage and the public's enjoyment. However, concentrations of wildlife provide the same opportunities for the propagation and spread of disease as do concentrations of domestic livestock. Livestock producers will not tolerate, nor should they, the movement of overcrowded wildlife from the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) c ; Thomas, John Ward 19944 U.S.D.A., Forest Service Perspectives on Brucellosis 198-202n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions? Thorne, E. Tom, Mark S. Boyce, Paul Nicoletti, Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis CommitteeX bison
brucellosis
cattle
disease
elk
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 26-28, 1994n The U.S. Forest Service (FS) is responsible for management of five national forests within the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA). While there are many laws and regulations governing the management of national forests, the primary ones are the National Forest Management Act, the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. The National Forest Management Act requires that habitat be provided for viable populations of wildlife. The Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act provides for multiple uses of the national forest, such as timber harvest, wildlife utilization, and livestock grazing. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act makes clear that nothing in the Act enlarges or diminishes the responsibility and authority of the states for management of fish and resident wildlife. Activities conducted on national forests are also subjected to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act.
Brucellosis is a disease that is present in bison (Bison bison) and elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), two species present on national forest lands. Bison are uncommon and localized, while elk are common and widespread. The FS's responsibilities are to provide habitat for these species and to coordinate land management activities with the species' habitat requirements and sta \ `; King, Lonnie J. 1994m Perspectives of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area 203-205n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions< Thorne, E. Tom
Mark S. Boyce
Paul Nicoletti
Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee} bison
brucellosis
disease
disease control
elk
eradication
livestock
USDA
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 26-28, 1994 Part of the mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is to prevent the introduction and spread of dangerous livestock diseases. To meet this mandate, APHIS and its predecessors have fought brucellosis for over 80 years. In the process, they have developed vaccines and herd management techniques that have helped revolutionize animal disease control, food production, and human health worldwide.
The APHIS launched the cooperative state-federal brucellosis eradication program in 1934. Back then, brucellosis could be found in every state with about one in eight herds being infected. A lot has changed since then; herds are larger and more livestock are concentrated into smaller spaces. But the challenges of modern herd management have been overcome and the tide has been turned on brucellosis. Today, 33 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are brucellosis-free and only about one in 5,500 herds are infected in the remaining states.
The APHIS is proud of this progress, and it is on target with its goal to eradicate this disease from every farmed herd by 1998. It is known that this can be accomplished with the cooperation of states and livestock producers because nine other countries, including Canada, Australia, and Great Britain, have already eradicated brucellosis using technology developed by APHIS.
Disease control and eradication is the unique line of work of APHIS. But regardless of whether the agencies concerned with this issue in the GYA are in the business of resource management, conservation, or development, they all need to share with APc @ ; - Hillman, Bob R.
Clarence J. Siroky
Dob Bosman 1994V State Animal Health Agency Perspectives on Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area 206-211n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions< Thorne, E. Tom
Mark S. Boyce
Paul Nicoletti
Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee\ bison
brucellosis
cattle
elk
management
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 26-28, 1994z Brucellosis in wildlife is an issue of vital importance to the animal health agencies of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. These states are classified Brucellosis Free in the National Brucellosis Eradication Program. Brucellosis in elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and bison (Bison bison) of the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) represents the last foci of brucellosis in the intermountain region. As of August 1994 there were only five infected cattle herds in the western half of the United States (USDA 1994).
Over the past few years, great progress has been made in reducing the number of brucellosis infected cattle herds in the U.S. As of August 1994, there were 198 brucellosis infected cattle herds (USDA 1994b). Within 5 years, brucellosis in wildlife in the GYA may be the last known focus of brucellosis in the United States. Unless efforts are made to control brucellosis in wildlife and prevent exposure to cattle to them in the GYA, the status of the three states will be in jeopardy. This will require animal health agencies and cattle industries of the three states to continue prevention, control, and surveillance activities long after such activities have ceased for the rest of the United States. The fear of possible exposure also could result in discrimination against cattle from the three states by testing requirements or trade restriction `; Reynolds, John J. 1994s Role that the U.S. Department of the Interior Will Play in Solving the Greater Yellowstone Area Brucellosis Problem 212-214n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions< Thorne, E. Tom
Mark S. Boyce
Paul Nicoletti
Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee bison
brucellosis
cattle
Department of the Interior
elk
eradication
livestock
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 26-28, 1994 The U.S. Department of the Interior (USDI) will do all it can within its mandates to help solve the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) brucellosis problem. As a part of that process, some explanation of why the GYA is so important to the eradication of brucellosis needs to be offered. Although the campaign for brucellosis eradication has been carried out nationally, those involved have never before played on a stage quite this public. Although it is probably safe to say that not one in 100 Americans has ever heard of brucellosis, all of them have heard of Yellowstone, and about one-third of them have been there. The stakes are high indeed when aim is taken at a place so visible and so universally loved.
The discussion is not just about Yellowstone National Park (YNP). It is about the GYA; a concept whose time came years ago. The process of figuring out how to manage across the boundaries of this ecosystem has been difficult. But it is no longer possible to deny that the GYA is managed as a real entity. There is no question that in the years to come, more ecosystem management will be done there. Those responsible for public or private lands will be paying more and more attention to s 8 ; Terrell, Terry 1994` Perspective of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area 215-216n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions? Thorne, E. Tom, Mark S. Boyce, Paul Nicoletti, Terry J. Kreeger Jackson, WYW Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee\ bison
brucellosis
cattle
elk
management
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 26-28, 1994 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) perspective on the issue of brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) comes, first, from the "primary purpose" mission at the National Elk Refuge (NER) north of Jackson, and, second, from the FWS's commitment to an ecosystem approach to resource management. The FWS and other cooperatively manage both the elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and bison (Bison bison) herds as well ar ` ; m Fenn, Dennis B. 1994T The National Park Service Perspective on Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area 217-219n Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions@ Thorne, E. Tom, Mark S. Boyce, Paul Nicoletti, Terry J. Kreeger
Jackson, WYX Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee
[ bison
Brucella abortus
brucellosis
National Park Service
wildlife health
brucella
bacteria September 26-28, 1994 This article focuses on the perspective of the National Park Service with regard to the issue of brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area. It provides historical perspectives, current perspectives, and discusses the commitment of the National Park Service to this issue. The cause of Brucella abortus in bison has been determined to be domestic cattle brought in by settlers. Although it has an insignificant impact on bison and poses only a small risk to humans, the cattle industry could be greatly affected by an outbreak of brucellosis in their animals. It has been clear from the start that the National Park Service has a great difference in perspective from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Currently, the NPS acknowledges a great need for partnership between all involved parties. The NPS also recognizes the great influence of the media and public on the issue. Finally, the commitment of the NPS is outlined with an emphasis on utilizing the Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee and the National Environmental Policy Act guidelines. The NPS supports eradication of brucellosis and desires better, and more re# 9,; A j Biek, Roman
Allen G. Rodrigo
David Holley
Alexei Drummond
Charles R. Anderson Jr.
Howard A. Ross
Mary Poss 2003w Epidemiology, Genetic Diversity, and Evolution of Endemic Feline Immunodeficiency Virus in a Population of Wild Cougars 9578-9589 Journal of Virology 77 17! American Society for MicrobiologyF cougar
feline
FIV
virus
wildlife health
feline immunodeficiency virus September, 2003 Within the large body of research on retroviruses, the distribution and evolution of endemic retroviruses in natural host populations have so far received little attention. In this study, the epidemiology, genetic diversity, and molecular evolution of feline immunodeficiency virus specific to cougars (FIVpco) was examined using blood samples collected over several years from a free-ranging cougar population in the western United States. The virus prevalence was 58% in this population (n = 52) and increased significantly with host age. Based on phylogenetic analysis of fragments of envelope (env) and polymerase (pol) genes, two genetically distinct lineages of FIVpco were found to cooccur in the population but not in the same individuals. Within each of the virus lineages, geographically nearby isolates formed monophyletic clusters of closely related viruses. Sequence diversity for env within a host rarely exceeded 1%, and the evolution of this gene was dominated by purifying selection. For both pol and env, our data indicate mean rates of molecular evolution of 1 to 3% per 10 years. These results support the premise that FIVpco is well adapted to its cougar host and provide a basis for comparing lentivirus evolution in endemic and epidemic infections in natural hosts.@ http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerende `; / ; Meagher, Margaret Mary
William J. Quinn
Larry L. Stackhouse 1992_ Chlamydial-caused Infectious Keratoconjunctivitis in Bighorn Sheep of Yellowstone National Park 171-176 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 28 2 Wildlife Disease Association animal studies
disease
ecology
mammals
mortality
population
range
wildlife health
winter
Bighorn sheep
Chlamydia sp.
chlamydiosis
follicular conjuctivitis
infectious keratoconjuctivitis
Ovis canadensis
population consequences 1992 An epizootic of infectious keratoconjunctivitis occurred in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in Yellowstone National Park during the winter of 1981-82. The causative organism was identified as Chlamydia sp. Mortality related to the epizootic was approximately 60% of an estimated 500 bighorn sheep in the northern range population. The infection probably affected all sex and age classes, but field surveys of live animals and mortality suggested that mature rams died disproportionately. Limited field observations the following winter on individuals having both normal and cloudy-appearing eyes suggested that half of the bighorns then present on the core units of winter range had contracted the disease and survived. By 1988,~ ; Olmsted, Robert A.
Raymond Langley
Melody E. Roelke
Robert M. Goeken
Diane Adger-Johnson
Julie P. Goff
John P. Albert
Craig Packer
M. Karen Laurenson
Tim M. Caro
Lue Scheepers
David E. Wildt
Mitchell Bush
Janice S. Martenson
Stephen J. O'Brien 1992k Worldwide Prevalence of Lentivirus Infection in Wild Feline Species: Epidemiologic and Phylogenetic Aspects 6008-6018 Journal of Virology 66 10! American Society for Microbiology cougar
feline immunodeficiency virus
feline species
lentivirus
mountain lion
puma
wildlife health
infectious puma lentivirus
feline viruses
October, 1992f The natural occurrence of lentiviruses closely related to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in nondomestic felid species is shown here to be worldwide. Cross-reactive antibodies to FIV were common in several free-ranging populations of large cats, including East African lions and cheetahs of the Serengeti ecosystem and in puma (also called cougar or mountain lion) populations throughout North America. Infectious puma lentivirus (PLV) was isolated from several Florida panthers, a severely endangered relict puma subspecies inhabiting the Big Cypress Swamp and Everglades ecosystems in southern Florida. Phylogenetic analysis of PLV genomic sequences from disparate geographic isolates revealed appreciable divergence from domestic cat FIV sequences as well as between PLV sequences found in different North American locales. The level of sequence divergence between PLV and FIV was greater than the level of divergence between human and certain simian immunodeficiency viruses, suggesting that the transmission of FIV between feline species is + ;
Kerans, Billie L.
Todd M. Koel 2004 Final Report: Development and Testing of Risk Assessment Tools for Myxobolus cerebralis Infection of Native Cutthroat Trout in Yellowstone National Park 12p. Bozeman, Montana/ National Park Service; Montana State Universityj cutthroat trout
disease
Myxobolus cerebralis
non-native species
pathogens
wildlife health
whirling disease December 30, 2004 The spread of animal or plant pathogens to new hosts or geographic areas has caused incalculable ecological costs that include extinctions or range restrictions of native species with subsequent changes in community composition (Mack et al. 2000). For example, the invasion of avian malaria to the Hawaiian Islands reduced populations and restricted ranges of several native bird species (van Riper et al. 1986). Myxobolus cerebralis (Myxozoa: Myxosporea), the metazoan parasite that causes “whirling disease” in several species of trout and salmon (Hoffman 1990; Hedrick et al. 1998), has the potential to similarly affect native fauna in the Intermountain West of the USA. Endemic to Eurasia, the parasite invaded the US in the 1950’s and has now spread to 23 states (Hoffman 1990, Bergersen and Anderson 1997, Bartholomew and Reno 2002), where it has caused dramatic and highly publicized reductions in populations of nonindigenous, wild rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (Vincent 1996, Nehring and Walker 1996). Cutthroat trout (O. clarki) are indigenous to the Intermountain West, coexist in watersheds with rainbow trout, and are highly susceptible to the parasite (Hedrick et al. 1998). This raises the possibility of further damage to many cutthroat trout populations that are already under stress from the introduction of nonnative salmonids and other anthropogenic activities (Kerans and Zale 2002). Little is known about the disease risk of cutthroat trout populations.
The Yellowstone cutthroat trout subpopulations occurring in the Yellowstone Lake basin provide an excellent opportunity to study the parasite and develop risk assessment tools specific for cutthroat. Much progress has been made examining the environmental and ecological characteristics that correlate with rainbow trout infection risk, thus providing parameters that would be important in risk assessment tools. For example, Krueger (2002) found significant positive correlations between rainbow trout infection risk and abundance of T. tubifex releasing triactinomyxons and between rainbow trout infection risk and abundant fine sediments, slow water velocities and stable water temperatures in the Madison River, MT. The strain of T. tubifex present in an area may also be associated with disease risk because they exhibit widely different levels of triactinomyxon production (Stevens et al. 2001, Beauchamp et al. 2002, Kinnan et al. 2002, Kerans et al. 2004). For example, a susceptible strain of T. tubifex dominates in one region of the Colorado River where rainbow trout disease risk is high and a resistant strain dominates in a region where rainbow trout disease risk is low (Beauchamp et al. 2002).
_ ? Jt; k Berger, Joel 1991; Greater Yellowstone's Native Ungulates: Myths and Realities 353-363 Conservation Biology 5 3 Blackwell Publishing animal studies
behavior
bighorn sheep
bison
construction
ecology
ecosystems
elk
gray wolf
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
human impact
hunting
logging
mammals
management
migration
mining
natural resource management
ungulates
wildlife health
wolves
general wildlife health studies September, 1991o At least three North American areas have been compared to Africa's Serengeti, probably because large concentrations of ungulates occur on both continents. Such comparisons are deceiving because the North American ecosystems harbor only about 15 to 25% of the ungulate species diversity found in the Serengeti. Migratory herbivores in both systems are confronted by ecological problems, including conflicts between people and wildlife once the herbivores move beyond park boundaries, and in the North American system, the loss of effective predators. The recent extinction of wolves from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem masks any direct effect on large herbivore movements today, although more than half of the Yellowstone Park ungulates migrate regularly to habitats outside park boundaries. If vestiges of ecosystem-oriented processes are to be preserved, some type of vision coupled with effective, coordinated management must be adopted. This paper addresses one component of this issue, migrant ungulates and their habitats. Three specific points are made. (1) Comparisons between the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and Serengeti, while questionable ecologically, are heuristic and serve conservation goals. (2) Both the loss of predators and different federally imposed land-use mandates have altered patterns of herbivore migration, behavior, and habitat use. While consequences of these human-caused disturbances cannot be predicted precisely, sufficient data from comparable regions allow the development of probable scenarios. (3) Throughout different periods during the last 100 years a variety of plans called for formal interagency cooperation; none has been successful. Until managers and politicians become more cognizant of historical failures stemming from the lack of coordinate p; McCann, Lester J. 1956 Ecology of the Mountain Sheep 297-324 American Midland Naturalist 56 2 The University of Notre Damek bighorn sheep
disease
ecology
wildlife health
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
general wildlife health studies
October, 1956\ Most of the field data herein presented were obtained by the writer as an employee of the Wyoming Fish and Game Commission while studying the decimating factors affecting the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), in the Gros Ventre area of northwestern Wyoming. Prior to the initiation of the actual study, Dr. John W. Scott, Executive Secretary of the Wyoming Fish and Game Commission, gave the author permission to use such ecological data as herein contained. The field study extended from November, 1938 to October, 1939 during which bands of sheep were kept undG D; Simonetti, Javier A. 1995> Wildlife Conservation Outside Parks is a Disease-Mediated Task 454-456 Conservation Biology 9 2 Blackwell PublishingR conservation
large mammals
mammals
wildlife health
general wildlife health studies April, 1995 It is increasingly evident that national parks and reserves are inadequate to protect large mammals. In many cases parks provide less area than required to sustain viable populations. Parks, then, will not suffice to conserve all large mammals (Miller & Harris 1977; Newmark 1986; Redford & Robinson 1991; Mella 1994). An advanced solution to this problem is to protect large mammals beyond parks, that is, to rely on both protected areas and the unprotected lands surrounding parks and reserves. Support from the landowners of the unprotected areas neighboring the parks would be needed. Allowing wild animals to use private lands ought to be accompanied by tangible benefits rather than costs to local people and landowners (see West & Brechin 1991).Y http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0888-8892%28199504%299%3A2%3C454%3 [ ; w R Koel, Todd M.
Patricia E. Bigelow
Philip D. Doepke
Brian D. Ertel
Daniel L. Mahony 2006@ Conserving Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout for the Future of the GYE 20-27 Yellowstone Science 14 2 Yellowstone National ParkB Yellowstone Association for Natural Science, History and Education^ Myxobolus cerebralis
whirling disease
wildlife health
non-native rainbow trout
cutthroat trout Spring 2006 The largest inland cutthroat trout population in the world is the adfluvial Yellowstone cutthroat trout (YCT; Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri) population of Yellowstone Lake. These fish have great ecological, economic, and historical significance, and they were noted by early explorers of the lake area for their beauty and abundance (Schullery and Varley 1995; Gresswell and Liss 1995; Doane 1871). This subspecies is important for maintaining the integrity of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, arguably the most intact naturally functioning ecosystem remaining in the lower 48 United States. Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), and many other avian and terrestrial species use YCT as an energy source (Swenson et al. 1986; Gunther 1995; Schullery and Varley 1995). However, in streams throughout Yellowstone National Park and elsewhere in the natural range of Yellowstone cutthroat trout, populations have been compromised by introgression with non-native rainbow trout (O. mykiss) or other cutthroat trout subspecies (Behnke 2002; Koel et al. 2004). Recently, the population has also been exposed to three other potential stressors, including non-native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush; Kaeding et al. 1996), the exotic parasite Myxobolus cerebralis (the cause of whirling disease; Koel et al., in pres ; H Robbins, Charles T.
Charles C. Schwartz
Kerry A. Gunther
Chris Servheen 2006G Grizzly Bear Nutrition and Ecology Studies in Yellowstone National Park 19-29 Yellowstone Science 14 3 Yellowstone National ParkB Yellowstone Association for Natural Science, History and EducationV cutthroat trout
ecology
grizzly bear
human interaction
white bark pine
wildlife health Summer 2006N The chance to see a wild grizzly bear is often the first or second reason people give for visiting Yellowstone National Park. Public interest in bears is closely coupled with a desire to perpetuate this wild symbol of the American West. Grizzly bears have long been described as a wilderness species requiring large tracts of undisturbed habitat. However, in today’s world, most grizzly bears live in close proximity to humans (Schwartz et al. 2003). Even in Yellowstone National Park, the impacts of humans can affect the long-term survival of bears (Gunther et al. 2002). As a consequence, the park has long supported grizzly bear research in an effort to understand these impacts. Most people are familiar with what happened when the park and the State of Montana closed open-pit garbage dumps in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when at least 229 bears died as a direct result of conflict with humans. However, many may not be as familiar with the ongoing changes in the park’s plant and animal communities that have the potential to further alter the park’s ability to support gri3 ;
GYIBC 1997K Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee (GYIBC) "White Paper" 9p.5 Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee brucellosis
disease
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
management
natural resource management
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria One of the most difficult aspects of developing management plans for wild, free-ranging bison and elk herds in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) is that some animals in these herds are hosts for the organism Brucella abortus which causes the disease brucellosis. B abortus is endemic in GYA bison and elk, and one of ten objectives of the Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee (GYIBC) is to "plan for the elimination of brucellosis by the year 2010" (see attached). However, there are differing opinions about the appropriateness or necessity of a management emphasis on the elimination of B. abortus, the environmental consequences of actions necessary to eradicate the disease, and the consequences of not eradicating brucellosis from these herds. While there is public controversy about brucellosis and wildlife, professionals in the various relevant technical fields also disagree. This paper was developed to summarize the information about brucellosis, as it might relate to management of bison and elk in the GYA, about which thereS ;
GYIBC
Keith Aune
Barbara Corso
Don DeLong
Pat Flowers
Arnold Gertonson
Mark Gocke
Terry Kreeger
Jim Logan
Phil Mamer
Jack Rhyan
Tom Roffe
Tom Thorne
Rick Wallen 2003 2003 GYIBC Annual Report 29p.5 Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee` bison
brucellosis
elk
interagency
management
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteriab This annual report is intended to provide the reader the highlights of GYIBC activities for 2003 calendar year. The principle author(s) is listed on each topic so that they may be contacted if more detailed information is desired. This Executive Summary is intended to" 8;
S ] GYIBC
Neil Anderson
Mark Atkinson
Keith Aune
Ryan Clarke
Chris Colligan
Paul Cross
Scott Creel
Jose Diez
Hank Edwards
Vanessa Ezenwa
Pat Flowers
Amanda Fluegel
Melissa Frost
Arnold Gertonson
Ken Hamlin
Gregory Ledbetter
Tom Linfield
Eric Maichak
Jesse Mikita
Bob Moon
Jack Rhyan
Jared Rogerson
Brandon Scurlock
Laurie Shannon
Rick Wallen
Rick Willer 2005 2005 GYIBC Annual Report 48p.5 Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis CommitteeU bison
brucellosis
elk
management
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria June 30, 2005 - June 30, 2006 This annual report is intended to provide the reader the highlights of GYIBC activities as well as research and planning efforts of member agencies. This Executive Summary is intended to further summarize the report, by high ;
GYIBC
Neil Anderson
Mark Atkinson
Keith Aune
Ryan Clarke
Hank Edwards
Pat Flowers
Frank Galey
Arnold Gertonson
Mark Gocke
Ken Hamlin
Tom Linfield
Phil Mamer
Bob Moon
Dwayne Oldham
Jack Rhyan
Brandon Scurlock
Laurie Shannon
Rick Wallen
Rick Willer 2004 2004 GYIBC Annual Report 40p.5 Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committeea bison
brucellosis
elk
interagency
management
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria January 1, 2004 - June 30, 2005` This annual report is intended to provide the reader the highlights of GYIBC activities for 2004 calendar year. The principle author(s) is listed on each topic so that they may be contacted if more detailed information is desired. This Executive Summary is intend# D; Hillman, Bob 1999) Report to the USAHA Brucellosis Committee8 United States Animal Health Association/1999 Proceedings San Diego, CaliforniaZ United States Animal Health Association, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Committee (GYIBC)J bison
brucellosis
elk
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria October 10 and 11, 1999j Each year for the past 13 years a report on the progress, or lack thereof, of efforts to address brucellosis in bison and elk of the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) has been presented to one or more of the USAHA committees. I will try not to bore you by spending a lot of time on the past actions or accomplishments of the GYIBC which have been previously reported to this committee. This report will focus on issues and events since the 1998 meetings of the Brucellosis Committee. However, a brief discussion of the origin of the GYIBC and its Missiox ;
GYIBC 1995$ Approved Bison Quarantine Facilities 3p. GYIBC5 Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis CommitteeZ brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
bison
brucellosis
quarantine facility
wildlife health May, 19959 A group or individual may establish an approved bison quarantine facility (ABQF) to provide testing for brucellosis-exposed bison from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in order to qualify the animals as brucellosis free. These facilities may be located in Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, or adjacent to the Parks in the adjoining States of Idaho, Montana, or Wyoming. State and Federal animal health officials must approve each faciliK ; GYIBC+ Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area5 Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committeec bison
brucellosis
elk
interagency
management
wildlife health
bacteria
brucella
brucella abortus [This is] an 8 minute video produced by the GYIBC. Formation of GYIBC is discussed, brucellosis and the issues of concern are defined. Bison management along the Montana and Yellowstone National Park boundary, the Wyoming Game and Fish Departments brucellosis feedground and habitat management program, research projects, and habitat management efforts are il] P; m 5 Cheville, Norman F.
Dale R. McCullough
Lee R. Paulson 1998+ Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area 186p. Grossblatt, Norman National Academies Press bison
brucellosis
cattle
elk
Greater Yellowstone Area
transmission
vaccines
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria* Brucellosis, a bacterial disease, was first noted in the Greater Yellowstone Area in 1917 and has since been a chronic presence there. This book reviews existing scientific knowledge regarding brucellosis transmission among wildlife, particularly bison, elk, and cattle, in the Greater Yellowstone Area. It examines the mechanisms of transmission, risk of infection, and vaccination strategies. The book also assesses the actual infection rate among bison and elk and describes what is known about the prevalence of Brucella abortus among other wildlife.-X ; Smith, Douglas W.
Emily Almberg 2007* Wolf Diseases in Yellowstone National Park 17-19 Yellowstone Science 15 2 Yellowstone National ParkC Yellowstone Association for Natural Science, History, and EducationU canine distemper virus
canine parvovirus
wildlife health
rabies
Brucella canis
wolves Forty-one wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park (YNP) between 1995 and 1996. The population has since thrived, reaching a high of 174 wolves in 2003. In 2004, wolf numbers were similar (169), but in 2005 the population declined by 30%, to 118 wolves. This sudden population drop led park biologists to suspect disease as the cause, because population declines resulting from other causes are generally more gradual. Wolf numbers also declined in 1999, a year preceded and succeeded by years of rapid population growth fueled by abundant prey. Were these population declines caused by disease? Which diseases affect wolves in the park, and how do wolves contract them? How will diseases affect the wolf population in the future? Wolf Project staff hope to address these questions through wolf studies in the par<K ; A Treanor, John J.
Richard L. Wallen
David S. Maehr
Phil H. Crowley 2007I Brucellosis in Yellowstone Bison Implications for Conservation Management 20-24 Yellowstone Science 15 2 Yellowstone National ParkC Yellowstone Association for Natural Science, History, and Educationl biobullets
bison
brucella
Brucella abortus
brucellosis
conservation
management
RB51
wildlife health
bacteria 2007 Wildlife conservationists have traditionally identified habitat loss as the primary cause of species decline. The expansion of humans into declining habitat has also resulted in an increasing number of infectious diseases shared by wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Impacts to human health, resulting from animal diseases transmissible to humans, have become an additional obstacle to wildlife conservation. Because these emerging diseases pose a threat to public health, disease management efforts are largely focused on controlling infection and outbreaks in the wildlife hosts. The difficulty and cost of eradicating infectious agents from wildlife reservoirs have resulted in methods such as intensive culling practices that are largely unacceptable to the concerned public. This problem exposes a need for acceptable approaches that combine wildlife conservation with concerns over the health of humans and domestic animals. Suitable approaches, however, are often few and far between. In Yellowstone National Park (YNP), wildlife managers have been dealing with the disease brucellosis in YNP bison for decades. Brucellosis in YNP bison is a problem that demonstrates the chal
; t Koel, Todd M.
Daniel L. Mahony
Kendra L. Kinnan
Charlotte Rasmussen
Crystal J. Hudson
Silvia Murcia
Billie L. Kerans 2007M Whirling Disease and Native Cutthroat Trout of the Yellowstone Lake Ecosystem 25-32 Yellowstone Science 15 2 Yellowstone National ParkC Yellowstone Association for Natural Science, History, and Education\ cutthroat trout
Myxobolus cerebralis
parasite
rainbow trout
whirling disease
wildlife health 2007 Whirling disease, caused by the exotic parasite Myxobolus cerebralis, is responsible for severe declines in wild trout populations in the Intermountain West (Bartholomew and Reno 2002). In Colorado (Nehring and Walker 1996) and other states where infection has been severe, whirling disease has had a significant negative economic impact on the recreational fishing industry. In Montana, the number of wild rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Madison River declined 70–90% after the introduction of M. cerebralis (Vincent 1996). The parasite has spread to many other drainages in the western part of the state, resulting in population-level effects (E. R. Vincent, personal communication). The parasite was first documented in Wyoming waters in 1988 and has spread to at least seven river drainages there. In Yellowstone National Park (YNP), examination of wild trout for whirling disease began in earnest in 1995 through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wild Fish Health Survey. Myxobolus cerebralis was first detected in the park in 1998 in native Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvierii)collected from Yellowstone Lake. The Yellowstone cutthroat trout is considered a keystone species in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. It provides a significant source of protein for the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) during the spring and midsummer (Reinhart and Mattson 1990; Gunther 1995). The diet of the threatened bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in the park consists of about 25% fish (Swenson et al. 1986). Many other avian and terrestrial species in the Yell|; [; Corn, Paul Stephen 2007 Amphibians and Disease 11-16 Yellowstone Science 15 2 Yellowstone National ParkB Yellowstone Association for Natural Science, History and Education4 amphibian decline
amphibians
disease
wildlife health 2007H The decline of amphibian populations is a world-wide phenomenon that has received increasing attention since about 1990. In 2004, the World Conservation Union's global amphibian assessment concluded that 48% of the world's 5,743 described amphibian species were in decline, with 32% considered threatened (Stuart et al. 2004). Amphibian declines are a significant issue in the western United States, where all native species of frogs in the genus Rana and many toads in the genus Bufo are at risk, particularly those that inhabit the mountainous areas (Corn 2003a,b; Bradford 2005).B http://www.greateryellowstonescience.org/files/pdf/YS15_2_Corn.pdf( ; w White, P.J.
Troy Davis 2007: Chronic Wasting Disease Planning for an Inevitable Dilemma 8-10 Yellowstone Science 15 2 Yellowstone National ParkC Yellowstone Association for Natural Science, History, and Education chronic wasting disease
Creutzfeldt-Jacob
deer
elk
wildlife health
transmissible spongiform encephalopathies
miscellaneous disease
health issues 2007 The high mountains and plateaus of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) provide summer range for an estimated 20,000 - 30,000 deer (Odocoileus sp.) and elk (Cervus elaphus) from at least eight herds, most of which winter at lower elevations outside the park. These world-renowned herds provide significant visitor enjoyment and revenue to local economies through guiding and sport hunting. Elk are the most abundant ungulate in the park and constitute a foundation species that has strong, ramifying effects on other species and processes in the ecosystem. For example, elk comprise approximately 85% of kills made by wolves (Canis lupus) during winter and are an important source of protein for black and grizzly bears during spring and early summer (Smith et al. 2004; Barber et al. 2005). They also provide an important source of energy for mountain lions and at least 12 species of scavengers, including bald eagles and coyotes (Wilmers et al. 2003; Ruth 2004). In addition, elk browsing and nitrogen deposition can have significant effects on vegetative production, soil fertility, and plant diversity (Frank and McNaughton 1992). Thus, changes in elk abundance over space and time can alter species abundance, community composition, nutrient concentrations of plants and the physical structure of vegetation in YNP.
These magnificent herds may soon be infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD), which was detected approximately 130 miles from the park in the Bighorn Basin area of Wyoming during 2003. Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurologic disease of elk moose (Alces alces), mule deer (O. hemionus), and white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) from the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalophaties or prion diseases. Other diseases in this family include scrapie in sheep, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (i.e., "mad-cow disease") in cattle, and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease in humans. Chronic wasting disease attacks the brains of infected animals, causing them to become emaciated, display abnormal behaviors (e.g. "zoned-out" appearance, aimless wandering), lose bodily functions (i.e. excessive salivation, drinking and urination), and eventually die (Williams et al. 2002). Infections may occur at\3 \0; Cross, Paul
Glenn Plumb 20078 Wildlife Health Initiatives in Yellowstone National Park 4-7 Yellowstone Science 15 2 Yellowstone National ParkC Yellowstone Association for Natural Science, History, and EducationB wildlife health
disease
management
general wildlife health studies 2007 Wildlife and their parasites do not recognize political or jurisdictional boundaries and, as a result, national parks are not immune to the environmental changes occurring around them. Habitat fragmentation, habitat loss, introductions of invasive species, and climate change all have direct impacts on the many wildlife species that move across park boundaries. These disturbances are also likely to affect parasite communities and wildlife health. In particular, encroachment of native landscapes by people, pets, and livestock may increase the frequency with which alien invasive parasite species are introduced. Mange, canine parvovirus, brucellosis, chronic wasting disease, whirling disease, and chytrid fungus are all examples of the pathogen pollution that is occurring in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). (A pathogen is any disease-producing agent, especially a virus, bacterium, or other microorganism)= http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/upload/YS15(2)partI.pdf( Found online and at YCi D ;
Redford, Kent H.
Eva Fearn 2007e Ecological Future of Bison in North America: A Report from a Multi-Stakeholder, Transboundary Meeting 63p. Working Paper No. 30 Wildlife Conservation Societyo bison
decline
ecological restoration
livestock
mammals
wildlife
wildlife health
general wildlife health studies May 30, 2007 In North America, many wide-ranging mammals have experienced significant declines within the last 200 years: Now, elk are found in only 26% of their historic range and grizzly bear are found in only 47% of theirs (Laliberte and Ripple 2004). This loss has resulted in fewer landscapes rich with large mammals and lower densities of mammals in many of the rest of these landscapes. Nowhere is this more dramatic than is the case with the North American bison, which experienced an ecological loss at a scale unparalleled in our modern history. Only 200 years ago, 30-50 million plains bison (Bison bison bison) roamed the grasslands and shrub steppes from Mexico to central Canada. To the north, wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) ranged from boreal forests to the Arctic plain. In herds that numbered up to 10,000 animals, bison were an ecological keystone species on the Great Plains and montane grasslands. Their migrations, grazing patterns, and behavior shaped the physical environment and they had myriad ecological interactions with other native species. Bison were also integrally linked with the spiritual and economic lives of original American cultures, and embodied the frontier for many Americans. Due to massive overhunting and land-use change, bison were pushed to the brink of extinction. By the 1870s bison were decimated by the onset of the railroad and the robe trade. By 1889 only about 1,091 bison were left. Today, the bison remains a unique icon of North American culture and natural history. The numerical restoration of bison, which now number approximately 450,000, could be considered a conservation success story. However, the bison’s important ecological roles in the landscape have not been restored, as over 95% of these animals are being raised in confined circumstances for meat. In fact, today bison exist in vastly differing management circumstances, herd dynamics, states of genetic integrity, and ecological settings than in the past. Bison are absent from most of their former range, their grazing does not influence the grassland-fire or nutrient-cycling regimes, and they rarely create habitat or provide food for other native species. In order to restore the ecological role of bison across their original range, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has set up a multi-stakeholder, transboundary initiative. The Wildlife Conservation Society is an international science-based organization committed to conserving wildlife and wildlands. WCS has a long history with bison: William Hornaday, WCS’ first director, conducted the 1889 survey that revealed how alarmingly close bison were to extinction. He, Theodore Roosevelt, and others formed the American Bison Society (ABS) in 1905. The ABS launched a national campaign to create wild bison reserves, stock them with bison from WCS’ Bronx Zoo and elsewhere, and educate the public about the bison’s endangered status. The ABS helped reestablish bison by pulling bison from captive and private herds, raising funds, and lobbying for reserve establishment. In 1907, WCS shipped 15 bison to the Wichita Reserve Bison Refuge in Oklahoma by cart and rail car. The ABS also helped buy a nucleus herd for the Montana Bison Reserve. In 2005, on the 100th anniversary of the ABS, WCS revitalized the American Bison Society with the objective of working with partners to achieve the ecological restoration o f bison. The complex modern identity of the bison – as icon, wildlife, and livestock – produces several challenges to its ecological future. Climate change, potential intensification of biofuel production, and a growing cultural separation of people from wildlife add to that complexity. The current conservation situation of bison is rife with local disputes. Controversial situations include brucellosis management; stalled efforts to reintroduce wood bison in Alaska; the domestication and selective breeding of bison for market; and the dichotomous legal status of bison as livestock or wildlife in different states and provinces. Any one issue could thwart the interdisciplinary collaboration necessary for large-scale bison restoration. The ecological restoration of bison comes at a critical time for the species and for ; m ' Rose, Amy
Silvia Murcia
Julie Alexander 20066 Whirling Disease Research at Yellowstone National Park 22-24 Aquaculture Health International 4 VIP Publications^ myxobolus
Myxobolus cerebralis
protozoa
salmonids
whirling disease
wildlife health February, 2006` The Whirling Disease Initiative was established in the USA by an Act of Congress in 1997. Its purpose is to conduct research that develops practical management solutions to maintain viable, self-sustaining wild trout fisheries in the presence of the whirling disease parasite. The initiative’s ultimate clients are state, tribal and federal fisheries management agencies and the constituencies they serve. Yellowstone National Park, located in the western United States, is the stronghold for the native Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri), a species that is increasingly rare outside of the park. The adfluvial population of Yellowstone cutthroat trout associated with Yellowstone Lake is the largest inland population in the world (Koel et al, 2005). Yet even within the park, this populati// ; Janetski, David Joel 2006 Genetic Considerations for the Conservation and Management of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) in Yellowstone National Park 123! Department of Integrative Biology Master of Science Provo, Utah Brigham Young UniversityL conservation
genetics
management
wildlife health
Yellowstone cutthroat trout December, 2006E The identification of conservation units (i.e. distinct population segments, evolutionarily significant units, stocks, etc.) within a species is critical to maintaining genetic diversity, making it an important management objective (Waples 1994; Wang et al. 2002; Reed and Frankham 2003). An important step in this process is the identification of genetically distinct populations. Preserving these populations helps maintain total genetic diversity, which reinforces the species’ ability to persist over time (O’Brien et al. 1985; Allendorf and Leary 1988; Spielman et al. 2004). The loss of genetic diversity within a species increases extinction risk through an overall decreased ability to adapt to environmental change and a reduction in fitness due to increased inbreeding (Newman and Pilson 1997; Amos and Balmford 2001). In addition to contributing to total genetic diversity, genetically distinct populations are important to the evolutionary legacy of a species. These populations often occur at the periphery of a species’ range, an area where the first steps in speciation (i.e. genetic divergence and local adaptation) are thought to take place(Lesica and Allendorf 1995). Conserving genetically unique populations therefore decreases the likelihood of extinction and allows for the continued evolution of the species. The application of genetic data to conservation is evident in the management of Pacific salmon. Information regarding population genetic structure has repeatedly helped fisheries managers identify and prioritize genetically distinct populations, or stocks, in order to preserve genetic diversity (Wilson et al. 1987; Allendorf et al. 1997; Small et al. 1998; Shaklee 1999; Guthrie and Wilmot 2004; Quinn 2005; Beacham et al. 2006). Experimental evidence has shown that native salmon stocks exhibit greater survival and fitness than transplanted salmon, suggesting native stocks are adapted to local environmental conditions (Brannon and Hershberger 1984; Reisenbichler 1988; Mayama 1989) and justifying management at the population level. While a tremendous effort has been made to classify stocks of anadromous salmonids, the use of genetic data to identify conservation units in nonanadromous salmonids (e.g. inland cutthroat trout) has received less attention (Gresswell et al. 1997) despite the threatened status of many indigenous trout populations in western North America (Behnke 2002; Young 2002; Quinn 2005). The most widely distributed non-anadromous native trout in western North American is the cutthroat trout. Behnke (2002) recognized fourteen subspecies of cutthroat trout, two of which are extinct and three of which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Each subspecies has generally been managed as a single conservation unit. In fact, extensive analysis of population genetic structure (beyond quantifying levels of introgression) is limited to studies on just a few subspecies, mainly coastal, westslope, Lahontan, and Yellowstone cutthroat trout outside of Yellowstone National Park (Leary et al. 1989; Wenburg et al. 1998; Nielsen and Sage 2002; May et al. 2003; Taylor et al. 2003; Young et al. 2004). The potential for classifying distinct conservation units within the cutthroat trout subspecies remains largely unexplored. Historically, one of the most abundant subspecies of cutthroat trout has been the Yellowstone cutthroat trout (YCT), Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri. Yellowstone Lake, located in Yellowstone National Park (YNP), is home to the largest genetically pure population of cutthroat trout in the world. That population has been estimated at over one million adult fish (Behnke 2002). In the last decade, however, the population has plummeted in Yellowstone Lake due to the introductions of lake trout and whirling disease (Koel et al. 2005). YCT in the Yellowstone River watershed below Yellowstone Falls, within YNP, are also threatened by hybridization with nonnative rainbow trout and by competition with introduced brown and brook trout (Behnke 2002; Koel et al. 2005). As a direct result of these threats, YCT are considered a sensitive species by many state and federal natural resource agencies (Young 2002). Although rejected in 2001 and 2006 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2001, 2006), the YCT was petitioned in 1998 (Biodiversity Legal Foundation et al. 1998) and 2004 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2006) for federal listing as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Rejection for listing was based primarily on the healthy status of river populations of YCT (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2006), although it is unknown whether or not genetically distinct populations exist within the species’ range (i.e. lacustrine vs. fluvial). It is imperative to identify genetically pure (non-hyb l;
Smith, Bruce L. 2005 Disease and Winter Feeding of Elk and Bison: A Review and Recommendations Pertinent to the Jackson Bison and Elk Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement 29p. Greater Yellowstone Coalition bison
elk
environmental impact statement
management
National Elk Refuge
wildlife health
brucellosis
brucella
Brucella abortus
miscellaneous disease
health issues October 27, 2005 I was contracted by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC) to prepare a report on relationships between winter feeding of elk and bison on the National Elk Refuge (NER) and certain existing and potential diseases of those populations. The focus was on how the winter feeding of elk and bison affects transmission, prevalence, and impacts of brucellosis and potentially chronic wasting disease (CWD) in NER and Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) elk and bison. Secondly, the GYC was interested in how Alternatives 4 and 6 in the Draft Bison and Elk Management Plan and c ; ! ! Rogers, Lynn L.
Susanne M. Rogers 1976 Parasites of Bears: A Review 411-429' Third International Conference on Bears& M. R. Pelton
J. W. Lentfer
G. E. Folk = bears
parasites
wildlife health
trichinosis
nematodes
disease This paper is an attempt to summarize the available information on parasites of bears. Knowledge of ursine parasites has expanded considerably since the subject was reviewed by Stiles and Baker in 1935; more than 90 additional reports on the subject have been published, and at least 43 additional parasites have been reported. In this paper, available information is summarized for each of 77 species of parasites, including (1) species of host, (2) pathological effects, (3) whether hosts were captive or wild, (4) the proportion of the bears from a given geographic location that were infected, and (5) sources of infl h r; 5 Soliman, Hatem Mohamed Toughan 2005 Construction and Screen of an Expression of cDNA Library from the Triactinomyxon Spores of Myxobolus cerebralis, the Causative Agent of Salmonid Whirling Diseases 82p.5 Institute of Zoology, Fish Biology, and Fish Diseases Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Munich, Germany. Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, GermanyK decline
Myxobolus cerebralis
rainbow trout
whirling disease
wildlife health 2005 Whirling disease and its associated myxosporean agent, Myxobolus cerebralis, were first described in Europe in 1898 among farmed rainbow trout (Hofer 1903). The disease spread throughout Europe and eventually to the USA through the international fish trade (Hoffman 1970, El-Matbouli et al. 1992). Whirling disease is considered not only a problem in the fish culture industry but is also a major threat to the survival of wild rainbow trout in North America (Hedrick et al. 1998). The disease has been recognised as a central cause of the catastrophic decline of wild rainbow trout populations in the states of Idaho, Montana, Colorado and Utah, USA (Nehring & Walker 1996, Hedrick et al. 1998). Brown trout are considered the natural host of Myxobolus cerebralis, for even though they become infected, they remain asymptomatic (Hoffman et al. 1962). The severe decline in wild rainbow trout populations has stimulated a renewed interest in exploring the pathobiology and host-Q{ h; ! $ Olliff, Thomas S.
Sue Consolo Murphy 2000T Seeking a Scientific Approach to Backcountry Management in Yellowstone National Park 348-353l Wilderness Science in a Time of Change Conference - Volume 5: Wilderness Ecosystems, Threats, and Management/ USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-15-Vol-5I Cole, David N.
McCool, Stephen F.
Borrie, William T.
O'Loughlin, Jennifer Missoula, MontanaO U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research StationE management
wilderness
wildlife health
general wildlife health studies May 23-27, 1999 Three criteria are used to assess how Yellowstone’s wilderness managers incorporate science into management: preciousness, vulnerability and responsiveness to management. Four observations are proposed. First, where scientists lead, managers will follow. Scientists that leave the best trail will be f\ x;
Peterson, Markus J. 20058 Chronic Wasting Disease and the Greater Yellowstone Area 20p.# Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Inc. cervids
chronic wasting disease
deer
disease
Greater Yellowstone Area
transmissible spongiform encephalopathies
wildlife health November 4, 2005 The objective of this review is to provide a concise summary of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids (deer family) that is directly relevant to natural resource managers, policy makers, and conservationists with the hope that this information may lead to better environmental policy. I address this objective in two steps. I first review CWD by discussing the emergence of the disease, its host range, characteristics of the disease in cervids, ecological relationships, and management options. I do not address CWD pathogenesis, histopathology, strain typing, or molecular features of the disease in any detail due to the purpose of this review. Those interested in these aspects of CWD and other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) should see recent reviews by Silveira et al. (2004) and Williams (2005) for details. Second, I address how CWD might become established in the Greater Yellowstone L;F L Glenn Plumb
L. Babiuk
J. Mazet
S. Olsen
P.-P. Pastoret
C. Rupprecht
D. Slate 2007$ Vaccination in conservation medicine 229-241C Revue Scientifique et Technique Office International des Epizooties 26 1 Brucellosis
Conservation medicine
Emerging disease
Endangered species
Public health
Rabies
Vaccination
Vaccine delivery
Wildlife
Zoonosis. Unprecedented human population growth and anthropogenic environmental changes have resulted in increased numbers of people living in closer contact with more animals (wild, domestic, and peridomestic) than at any other time in history. Intimate linkage of human and animal health is not a new phenomenon. However, the global scope of contemporary zoonoses has no historical precedent. Indeed, most human infectious diseases classed as emerging are zoonotic, and many of these have spilled over from natural wildlife reservoirs into humans either directly or via domestic or peridomestic animals. Conservation medicine has recently emerged as a meaningful discipline to address the intersection of animal, human, and ecosystem health. Interest in the development of novel vaccines for wildlife encounters important challenges that may prevent progress beyond the conceptual phase. Although notable examples of successful wildlife immunisation programmes exist, depending upon key considerations, vaccination may or may not prove to be effective in the field. When implemented, wildlife vaccination requires a combination of novel zoonosis 7 @; YPF 20072 Program Targets Diseases Threatening Park Wildlife 4p. Yellowstone Park Foundation 8 1 Bozeman, Montana Yellowstone Park FoundationK disease
general wildlife health studies
population
wildlife
wildlife health Winter 2007B We’ve all heard of them: diseases such as West Nile virus and bird flu that can be transmitted from animals to humans. We worry about the effects of these illnesses on our families, communities, and the environment. But what is really being learned about preventing the spread of the viruses within wR
0 ;
4 Sloat, Matthew R.
Shepard, Bradley B.
Clancey, Pat 2000 Survey of Tributaries to the Madison River from Hebgen Dam to Ennis, Montana with an Emphasis on Distribution and Status of Westslope Cutthroat Trout 165p.L Report to Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Fisheries Division Helena, MontanaB Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Fisheries DivisionY myxobolus
Myxobolus cerebralis
westslope cutthroat trout
whirling disease
wildlife health
March 2000 Prior to about 1900 the Madison River supported populations of native westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi, arctic grayling Thymallus arcticus, mountain whitefish Prosopium williamsoni, and mottled sculpins Cottus bairdi (Jordan 1891; USDI 1954). Steelhead trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were stocked into the Madison River in 1900, and brown trout Salmo trutta were planted about 1910 (USDI 1954). By 1920 the grayling population had nearly disappeared, but the mountain whitefish populations persisted (USDI 1954). Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis were both introduced around 1920 (USDI 1954). By 1930, both rainbow and brown trout were well established in the Madison River. Releases of hatchery-raised catchable rainbow trout into the Madison River continued until the early 1970’s when a research project found that releases of hatchery rainbow trout suppressed populations of wild rainbow and brown trout (Vincent 1987). Releases of hatchery fish into the Madison River ceased in 1974 (Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, fish planting database). From 1974 to 1990 the Madison River supported a very popular and successful fishery for wild rainbow and brown trout (Vincent 1980). The rainbow trout population began declining in the early 1990’s and in 1994 whirling disease was identified as the cause. Angler catch rates for rainbow trout have declined significantly, while catch rates for brown trout have remained essentially unchanged. From 1950 to the present, biologists have been documenting a decline in the distribution and abundance of westslope cutthroat trout throughout their range (Hanzel 1959; Rieman and Apperson 1989; Rieman and McIntyre 1993). This decline has been extremely pronounced in the upper Missouri River basin (Shepard et al. 1997). The Madison River drainage now supports only a few isolated populations of westslope cutthroat trout (Shepard et al. 1997). These few remaining cutthroat populations are restricted to headwater portions of tributaries, usually above some type of fish barrier. Recent data from the Madison River suggests that whirling disease has not impacted these cutthroat trout populations and that some cutthroat drift down out of these tributaries to the Madison River. This information suggests that by restoring strong populations of westslope cutthroat trout to tributaries of the Madison River, H p; Halverson, Anders 2000_ The National Elk Refuge and the Jackson Hole Elk Herd: Management Appraisal and Recommendations 23-520 Yale Forestry and Environmental Studies Bulletin 1042 Yale School of Forestry and Environemental Studiesd brucellosis
elk
feedgrounds
management
wildlife
wildlife health
miscellaneous disease
health issues May 16, 2000V The federal government established the National Elk Refuge and began feeding the elk herd in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in 1912. Currently administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the program has four goals: to preserve critical winter range for the elk herd, to keep the elk from depredating the nearby ranches, to provide habitat for other species on the refuge, and to provide compatible human benefits. In many ways, the program has been a remarkable success. The once-dwindling elk herd has rebounded and been used to repopulate other areas of the country, depredation has been reduced, the refuge provides habitat for a wide variety of species, and both the herd and the refuge have provided many tangible and intangible human benefits. Numerous problems face the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, however. Disease and habitat loss threaten the elk herd, ranchers face economic losses from the risk of interspecific disease transmission, the dense concentration of the elk on the refuge is degrading habitat for themselves and other species, and the human benefits derived from the herd and the refuge are at risk for the same reasons. Furthermore, these problems have become increasingly difficult to resolve as relations between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the other responsible agencies and non-government organizations, and the general public have become increasingly contentious. This paper appraises the management of the National Elk Refuge and the Jackson Hole elk herd and makes recommendations for resolving some of the problems facing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These recommendations include increasing public involvement in management decisions, increasing agency knowledge of the social context, holding decision seminars and other problem-solving exercises, and increasing the role of the USFWS
\ ; Cromley, Christina M. 2000l Developing Sustainable Management Practices: Lessons from the Jackson Hole Bison Management Planning Process 67-1000 Yale Forestry and Environmental Studies Bulletin 1041 Yale School of Forestry and Environmental StudiesO management
brucellosis
elk
wildlife health
miscellaneous disease
health issues May 16, 2000 The National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming, provides critical habitat not only for elk, but also a host of other wildlife and plant species, including bison. The refuge, in cooperation with state and other federal agencies, began developing an environmental assessment and management plan in the early 1980s for bison that winter on the refuge. The issue evoked much controversy over how to manage the refuge’s wildlife. Dissatisfaction with the agencies’ handling of the problem led many Jackson community members to become centrally involved in the process. After nearly two decades, the agencies released a final plan and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in 1997 which many community members accepted. However, the process is not over: lawsuits have blocked implementation of the plan. Examining the obstacles and achievements in the bison planning process offers an opportunity for learning to improve decision making and to inform other refuge planning processes, including a refuge-wide management plan and an environmental assessment for irrigation. The bison planning process showed the need to identify clearly and comprehensively problems and possible obstacles to implementation early in the process. This necessitates consideration not only of technical and natural science information, but also consideration of the social and political context through methods such as ongoing contact with various publics, surveys, monitoring bison and human interactions, and clarifying agency mandates. Identifying problems also requires clarification of how the community and refuge officials and personnel view the purpose of the refuge and its place in the larger community. One way to clarify such refuge goals is to determine more systematically how people value the refuge, including as wildlife habitat, as open space, and as a place to spend time outdoors. Involving the public early in the decision-making process can also help to clarify goals and potential problems as perceived by those outside the agency. Finally, it is important to understand the role of agencies in decision making. In addition to acting as agents for the public, agencies play a key role in the initial and subsequent framing of a problem and can influence public perception of the refuge and its purposes.D http://environment.yale.edu/documents/downloads/0-9/104Crombison.pdf Found onW S;
Clark, Tim W. 20004 Wildlife Resources: The Elk of Jackson Hole, Wyoming 171-1870 Yale Forestry and Environmental Studies Bulletin 1041 Yale School of Forestry and Environmental StudiesP brucellosis, elk, management, wildlife health
brucella brucella abortus bacteria May 16, 2000 The Jackson Hole, Wyoming, elk herd lacks an effective “commons institution” for its management. Conflict over management is particularly intense for the segment of the herd that winters in the National Elk Refuge. The fundamental problem is that too many elk are concentrated in too small an area on the refuge in winter, leading to a high incidence of the disease brucellosis, vulnerability to tuberculosis, degradation of plant communities, loss of biodiversity, and high supplemental feeding costs. These substantive problems are accompanied by process or procedural problems: a large number of organizational participants, who have identified various problems in the situation, have been unable to resolve their differences. The decision process has been characterized by lawsuits, rigidification of opposing positions through the NEPA process, unclear goals, competing problem definitions, ineffective organizational mechanisms for addressing problems (including lack of public participation), and weak leadership. This situation can be attributed to institutional factors (such as the struggle for control and states’ rights), contextual factors (such as changes in the uses and values of the elk refuge and the role of the public in resource management), and leadership factors (such as the centralization, professionalization, and bureaucratization of management agencies). Three measures could help in clarifying and achieving common interests in the elk case. First, community-based participatory groups could build trust, skill, and civic knowledge. Second, government could establish a better decision process and leadership. Finally, a new goal of “restoring wild patterns” could alleviate many of the substantive problems of the current feed-ground concentrations of elk. Found online, pdf on compuk %; Kahn, H. Bradley 20006 Uses and Valuation of the National Elk Refuge, Wyoming 139-1700 Yale Forestry and Environmental Studies Bulletin 1041 Yale School of Forestry and Environmental StudiesO brucellosis
elk
management
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria May 16, 2000 The National Elk Refuge is a 25,000-acre wildlife refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming—one of the most treasured, recognizable, and visited ecosystems in the world. The refuge was originally established in 1912 as winter range for the Jackson elk herd. Since then, its mission has expanded. Currently, many people use the refuge for activities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, jogging, and biking. Conflict frequently arises over proper management of the NER, which is fundamentally not about elk habitat, forage production, or other biological or technical issues, but rather about the equitable allocation of human values. Commonly, these values are labeled as “politics” and discounted. However, ignoring values does not reduce the potential for conflict, as current lawsuits demonstrate. To understand the values that affect refuge management more explicitly, this paper uses an interdisciplinary method that integrates human values into decision making. Since 1912, there has been an increase in value interactions associated with population growth, a decline in community “ownership” of the refuge, and increased centralization, bureaucratization, and professionalization of the National Wildlife Refuge System. These important historical trends are described as a way to project future social dynamics. Criteria and priorities are described to help clarify and secure common interests in decision making about the : ռ;+ ; P Koel, Todd
Patricia E. Bigelow
Philip D. Doepke
Brian D. Ertel,
Daniel L. Mahony 2005c Nonnative Lake Trout Result in Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Decline and Impacts to Bears and Anglers 10-19 Fisheries 30 11 American Fisheries Societyi cutthroat trout
grizzly bear
Myxobolus cerebralis
whirling disease
wildlife health
Yellowstone Lake Trout November, 2005 During the past decade, Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus darki bouvier) of Yellowstone Lake and its tributary streams have been affected by the introduction of lake trout (Salvelinus naymaycush), invasion by Myxobolus cerebralis (the cause of whirling disease), and drought conditions. Numbers of upstream migrating cutthroat trout at Clear and Bridge creeks have declined 90% in the past 5 years. Activity by bears has declined at spawning streams 1989-2004, and mirrored that of the cutthroat trout reductions, indicating cascading interactions in the food web of this system. Success by anglers has also declined, from two fish caught per hour in 1998 to less than one fish in 2004. To suppress lake trout, the National Park Service initiated a gillnetting program using up to 16 km of net each day, May-October. From 1994-2004, 100,000 lake trout were removed. The catch per unit effort and average length of spawning lake trout have declined, indicating that netting efforts may be impacting the population. As several important consumer species, including the threatened grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribillis), use this population as an energy source, preservation of remaining cutthroat trout could be essential to maintain thbo 뤄;
NationalParkService 1968) Yellowstone Bison: Background Information 2p. Yellowstone National Park1 Department of the Interior, National Park Service animal studies
behavior
bison
Bison bison
brucellosis
disease
distribution
mammals
management
policies
population
preservation
range
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria December 30, 1968 This report gives background on the reasons that a program to deal with the possibility of transmission of brucellosis from bison to cattle is needed in Yellowstone National Park. The report outlines the points covered by the program including (1) monitoring of bison from land and air, (2) hazing, trapping, or dispatching of animals likely to move outside the park boundary, (3) hazing of animals that cross into areas used by domestic cattle, under cooperations with the U.S. Forest Service, 7 ;
NationalParkService 19868 Environmental Assessment: Bison Boundary Control Program 14p. Yellowstone National Park5 Department of the Interior, Yellowstone National Park animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
distribution
mammals
management
population dynamics
ungulates
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria August, 1986E The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate methods to manage bison that may leave or are on the threshold of leaving Yellowstone National Park. The primary objective of all alternatives is to eliminate conflicts with private lands. The main routes for bison leaving the park to the north cross through agricultural and ranch lands, the town of Gardiner, and public lands, mainly USFS. The Madison River valley on the west is a lesser route. Residents and tourists are sometimes exposed to contact with one of the park's potentially dangerous animals. Two secondary objectives are to reduce the potential, though theoretical and extremely limited possibility, for transmission of brucellosis to domestic livest h ;
Greer, Kenneth R. 1972E Grizzly Bear Mortality and Management Programs in Montana during 1971 44p.- Job Progress Report: Research Project Segment# Montana Department of Fish and Gamec animal studies
grizzly bear (Ursus arctos)
management
wildlife health
parasites in bears
parasites May 30, 1972 A total of 44 grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) mortalities are know for 1971 and included 22 harvested by hunters. Three hunting areas provided about 75 percent of the hunter harvest. Data for all grizzlies are noted. Various criteria were compared for sex dimorphism. Measurements of a lower canine indicated the least overlap (20 percent) between sexes. Age and sex of grizzly mortalities are listed. Events and circumstances required a special management program of trapping and transplanting grizzlies from the vicinity of West Yellowstone during 1971. A total of 17 grizzlies were transplanted and subsequent observations were made for all but three individuals. VarioZ ֘ ;
C Greer, Kenneth R. 1976E Grizzly Bear Mortality and Management Programs in Montana during 1975 20p.- Job Progress Report: Research Project Segment# Montana Department of Fish and GameO grizzly bear
management
mortality
wildlife health
parasites
parasites in bears September 15, 1976 The 1975 Montana grizzly bear season was subject to a Federal ruling under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 which permitted the Fish and Game Commission to allow a season, only in Northwest Montana and limited to a total annual mortality of 25 grizzlies. About 660 of the 986 grizzly bear hunting licenses were present in some areas open to grizzly hunting during the 1975 season. The 22 total mortalities included 9 by nonhunting and 13 by hunting. Hunters killed their grizzly in 6 of the 10 adjacent districts that cover 5860 square miles. Over 60 percent of the 22 grizzlies were 6 years or less. An orphaned grizzly cub was reestablished in the wild, hibernated and was observed the following spring. The southern Montana grizzly populations did not have a hunting season in 1974 and 1975. Mortalities other than hunting were not authenticated in the Southern population for 1975. However, at least three grizzlies are assumed to have been killed but the fact could not be established. Five radio collared grizzlies provided information on movements, habitats, areas, and denning sites for four individuals. Vario ;
b Greer, Kenneth R. 1978E Grizzly Bear Mortality and Management Programs in Montana during 1977 18p.- Job Progress Report: Research Project Segment# Montana Department of Fish and Gamed trichinellosis in bears trichinellosis
grizzly bear
management
mortality
trichinella
wildlife health September 29, 1978 The 1976 Montana grizzly bear season was subject to a Federal ruling under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 that limited the annual mortality to 25 grizzlies from the northwest Montana populations and only permitted the Fish and Game Commission to set season dates; the Federal rule prohibited the Fish and Game Commission from setting a season in the south central Montana grizzly populations. the 14 grizzlies killed in northwest Montana included 9 by nonhunting and 5 by hunting. A total of 513 licenses were issued. Hunters killed their grizzly in 5 separate districts that cover 2,912 square miles. The mortality of 46 percent females and 54 percent less than five years of age are similar to previous years. Three grizzlies were translocated. Trichinella was present in 53 percent of 15 grizzlies and 8 percent o נ;
Greer, Kenneth R. 1979 Grizzly Bear Studies 13p.- Job Progress Report: Research Project Segment# Montana Department of Fish and GameX trichinellosis in bears trichinellosis
grizzly bear
management
mortality
wildlife health August 28, 1979 The 1976 Montana grizzly bear season was subject to a Federal ruling under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 that limited the annual mortality to 25 grizzlies from the northwest Montana populations and only permitted the Fish and Game Commission to set a season; the Federal rule prohibited the Fish and Game Commission from setting a season in the south central Montana grizzly population. The 14 grizzlies killed in northwest Montana included 7 by nonhunting and 7 by hunting. A total of 616 licenses were issued. There were 2 known and 5 strongly suspected nonhunting grizzly mortalities in the southcentral Montana grizzly populations. Three grizzlies were relocated. Trichinella were present in 71 percent of 14 grizzlies and 5 percent of 66 black bears. Interagency grizzly bear studies during the past four years indicate that 300-350 bears occur in the study areaO ;
Greer, Kenneth R. 1980 Grizzly Bear Studies during 1979 22p.- Job Progress Report: Research Project Segment# Montana Department of Fish and Gamee trichinellosis in bears
trichinellosis
grizzly bear
management
mortality
trichinella
wildlife health September 5, 1980^ Montana grizzly bear hunting seasons are subject to federal rulings under the Endangered Species Act. Since 1975, a federal quota of 25 grizzlies has existed for the northern Montana grizzly populations, and no hunting is permitted in the southern Montana grizzly populations. Of the 18 grizzlies known to have been killed in the northern populations during 1979, 7 were by nonhunting and 11 by hunting. A total of 584 hunting licenses were issued. Five control actions of relocations was coordinated in the northern populations. Livestock incidents in the southern grizzly population resulted in one control action and dispatching the bear. Known grizzly mortalities are summarized for the Interagency study area. Various data were subjected to computer modeling. Trichinella were present in 14 of 17 |;
Greer, Kenneth R. 1982% Grizzly Bear Mortality Studies (1981) 20p.- Job Progress Report: Research Project Segment# Montana Department of Fish and GameO parasites in bears
parasites
grizzly bear
management
mortality
wildlife health August 23, 1982 Montana grizzly bear hunting seasons are subject to federal rulings under the Endangered Species Act. Since 1975, a federal quota of 25 grizzlies has existed for the northern Montana grizzly populations, and no hunting is permitted in the southern Montana grizzly population. A total of 799 grizzly bear hunting licenses issued in 1981 was a 21 percent increase over the previous year. The 11 grizzlies killed by hunters in 1981 was identical to the 2 prior seasons. Five additional grizzlies were killed in the Border population for a total of 16 toward the 25 quota. A total of 6 known mortalities were recorded for the Interagency study area, and field studies with radio contacts suggest other probable and possible loss of individuals. Control actions were coordinated in relocating 4 individual grizzlies from the northern population, and 20 relocations were required in the Montana segment adjacen o ; Olsen, Steven C.
Holland, Sam D. 2003K Safety of Revaccination of Pregnant Bison with Brucella abortus Strain RB51 824-829 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 39 4V strain RB51
bison
brucella abortus
brucellosis
vaccination
safety
brucella
bacteria
October, 2003F From December 1998 through February 1999, a study was conducted in a Brucella infected bison herd to evaluate the safety of booster vaccination of adult bison (Bison bison) with 63109 colony forming units (CFU) of Brucella abortus strain RB51 (SRB51) that had previously been vaccinated as yearlings with 131010 CFU of SRB51. Abortions or other adverse effects were not observed after SRB51 booster vaccination. At 10 wk after adult vaccination, pregnant and nonpregnant bison (n565) were randomly selected for bacteriologic sampling of targeted maternal tissues during abattoir processing. Fetal tissues were also sampled in pregnant bison. The SRB51 vaccine was recovered from tissue samples of eight of 48 pregnant bison and none of 17 nonpregnant bison. In three of the eight culture-positive bison, SRB51 was recovered from fetal tissues. In three additional bison, one pregnant and two nonpregnant, B. abortus biovar 1 field strain was recovered from internal iliac or supramammary lymphatic tissues. Results of this study suggest the possibility that the SRB51 vaccine can be safely used to booster vaccinate pregnant bison in a Brucella-infected bison herd. Our data also reaffirms the potential for B. abortus field strains to persist in bison until attainment of reproductive age, despite extensive use of vaccination and serologic testing.0 ht ~; m 3 Gross, John E.
Miller, Michael W.
Kreeger, Terry J. 19983 Simulating Dynamics of Brucellosis in Elk and Bison 17 USGSC brucellosis
brucella abortus
elk
bison
modeling
brucella
bacteria We developed a stochastic, individual-based model to simulate the dynamics of brucellosis in elk and bison. To do so, we evaluated published and unpublished information to identify processes most central to the biology of Brucella abortus, the causative agent of brucellosis, and to transmission of brucellosis among ungulates. Our analysis resulted in a new flow diagram that encapsulated key processes and identified parameters necessary to forecast rates of change in the prevalence of brucellosis. We incorporated these processes into our model and estimated model parameters from field observations and studies of captive animals. We then applied the model to situations analogous to w $~; USAHA 19976 Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area Fact Sheet 8 USAHA' United States Animal Health AssociationR bison
brucellosis
elk
history
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteriaz This fact sheet gives information on the history of brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area. It includes historical factors, knowledge gained about bison and elk through research, recent developments at the time the fact sheet was written (February 14, 1997) and a discussion on recent events. Within the discussion section of the report, the view of the U.S. Animal Health Association (USAHA) with regard to the "emergency plan" a plan that would allow bison to migrate onto Forest Service Land during harsh winters. The fact sheet also contains a conclusions 4; 9 Moore, T. 1947O A Survey of Buffalo and Elk Herds to Determine the Extent of Brucella Infection 131? Canadian Journal of Comparative Medicine and Veterinary Science 11] brucella
Brucella abortus
buffalo
disease
elk
infection
wildlife health
brucellosis
bacteria When buffalo and elk were being slaughtered in the two National Parks to reduce the size of the herds during the winter of 1946-47, an opportunity was taken to conduct a serological survey by using the tube agglutination test to determine the extent of Brucella infection. The buffalo and elk herds roam in separate parks which are situated about 150 miles apart. When culling the respective herds the animals were hunted by attendants and selected animals shot. The hunter carried a supply of sterile bottles. After shooting them he severed the jugular vein and filled a vial from the free flowing blood. This blood was shipped to one of our Branch Laboratories where the serum was removed and forwarded for examination. Because of the conditions under which animals were slaughtered, no attempt was made to isolate Brucella abortus. One hundred and eighty-six samples were received from elk of both sexes and all ages. All of these were negative. Thirty-seven samples of buffalo serum were received, the majority being taken from mature males, 6 (16.2%) were positive, 5 (13.5%) were questionable and 26 (70.3%) were negative. A point of interest is that 5 of the 6 positive samples were from male buf ; ~; o YNP 1991? Statement Paper Bison and Brucellosis Yellowstone National Park 15p. Interior Yellowstone National Park, WYV bison
brucella
brucellosis
cattle
wildlife health
Brucella abortus
bacteria The purpose of the this document is to present responsibilities and roles of the National Park Service (NPS) at Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and those of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) as administered by Veterinary Services (VS) for the Brucellosis Eradication Program concerning brucellosis in bison at Yellowstone.
Observations are made in areas which might be considered in future discussions between NPS and APHIS. Agency resources can add depth and insight in understanding common concerns and definitions and the diversity of management requirements.
The Greater Yellowstone Area is an enormous complex of ecological communities. Diversity of management requirements and procedures must strive for conflict resolution, alternatives, and compromises to develop a meaningful bison management plan. Many challenges and demands must be considered to cooperatively ensure the future of free-ranging bison in the Park and improve the productivity and health of U.S. animal agricultural resources.
Agency mandates and legislation are separate and defined to carry out the stated mission of an organization. The State of Montana (Legislature and Department of Livestock) want bison eliminated, as necessary, to minimize the brucellosis threat, while the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department is charged with managing the bison as a big game animal. APHIS is charged with managing the Brucellosis Eradication Program, while the National Park Service is mandated to protect native species with little or no interference from modern man.
This paper gives common areas and definitions that can be used to cooperatively develop management strategies. To produce an effective plan, Agencies must find alternatives that can reduce the possibility of Brucella organism transmission to cattle, decrease the potential for human conflicts and property damage caused by bison outside the park, ensure opportunities to view free-ranging bison, and maintain a self-sustaining population in Y
[,@; m Copeland, Jeff 1998 Eastern Idaho Brucellosis Update The Wildlife Society Newsletter 98 3 The Wildlife Society] brucellosis
disease
supplemental feeding
wildlife health
brucella abortus
brucella
bacteria September 17, 1998a Supplemental winter feeding of big game is a common classroom topic in Wildlife Management 101 - supplemental feeding allows populations to expand beyond range carrying capacity, and provides potential for the spread of disease - supplemental feeding is bad! Yeah, well that's all good and fine but the fact is, the public loves winter feeding of big game. A recent survey that asked whether the public favored continued efforts to supplement winter food found over 80% of the respondents in favor of feeding. How can we have too many elk and deer? Well, it appears that we're [going to] have to deal with the prophecy of Wildlife Management 101. The culprit, a microbacteria called Brucella abortus, is forcing the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Idaho Department of Agriculture, and the Idaho sportsmen E n is general agreement among the technical experts employed by the res ) y solution may have upon wildlife.Z http ] mlustrated and explained. The need for long term management plans and interagency cooperation = ty. Facility approval is valid for 1 year and can be reapprov = lighting significant points from each author(s).9 http://gyi n$ed provided that all requirem 1 Dobson, Andrew 1993d Brucellosis in Yellowstone's Bison Population. I. Observed Epidemiology and Transmission Potential. 15p. Princeton Yellowstone National Park animal studies
bison
Bison bison
brucellosis
cattle
disease
distribution
elk
Cervus elaphus
livestock
mammals
mortality
natural resource management
population
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 1993 Yellowstone National Park contains the largest concentrations of wildlife in North America. In particular the Northern Yellowstone elk herd is the largest extant elk herd in the US and the Yellowstone Bison are second only to the population in Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada. As is almost inevitable when National Parks occur in close proximity to agricultural area, the potential exists for transmission of pathogens between wildlife and domestic livestock and vice versa. In this report [the author examines] the potential for transmission between bison, elk and cattle of Brucella abortus, the aetiological agent of bovine brucellosis. The analysis brings together long term population data on bison, elk and ` ; M % Ferrari, Matthew J.
Garrot, Robert A. 1999 An assessment of the risk of inter-specific transmission of Brucella abortus from bison (Bison bison) to elk (Cervus elaphus) on the Madison-Firehole winter range 43 Annual Report 1998 Bozeman Montana State University bison
Bison bison
brucellosis
elk
Cervus elaphus
Firehole River drainage
Madison River drainage
wildlife health
winter
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria 19991 Brucella abortus, a bacterium which causes disease in livestock, wildlife, and humans, has become the target of a large scale eradication program in the wild species of the Greater Yellowstone area. An understanding of the spatial and temporal associations of bison and elk, the two major vertebrate hosts, is essential in assessing the risk of interspecific transmission and the long term efficacy of proposed management scenarios to eradicate the disease. The Madison-Firehole drainage of Yellowstone National Park supports high densities of elk and bison during the winter and spring when B. abortus can be shed by females through birth or abortion. We collected 4,526 telemetry locations of cow elk between 1991-1998 and conducted 30 ground censuses of bison between 1997-1998 to assess the distribution and spatial and temporal associations of elk and bison on the winter range. The Madison-Firehole bison winter range is entirely contained within the winter range used by elk. Elk and bison, which normally display significant spatial separation, were found to have high levels of association on the winter range. Increasing snow pack increased the density of bison on the winter range as bison moved into the Madison-Firehole from the Hayden Valley summer range, and restricted elk to the valley bottoms to avoid deep snow. Range overlap varied between 53 and 76% (ANOVA, P < 0.09) and tended to increase from December to May. Elk were associated with bison (≤100m) in 19% of telemetry locations during April and May, the peak time of bison calving. Regression analysis indicated that snow water equivalent, a measure of snow depth and density, was positively correlated to elk/bison association and was the strongest predictor of association (P<0.0001). Despite close association between the two species, a sample of 42 adult cow elk indicated that the prevalence of sero-positive animals in the Madison-Firehole was not significantly different (P>0.05) from other elk populations that do not associate closely with bison. However the sero-prevalence in the Madison-Firehole was lower (P<0.05) than the sero-prevalence in populations associated with winter feeding operations. Thus we conclude that the close contact between bison and e? ;
P & Meyer, Margaret
Meagher, Margaret Mary 1993F Brucella abortus Infection in the Yellowstone National Park Bison Herd 20p. Yellowstone National Park National Park ServiceS bison
brucella
Brucella abortus
brucellosis
herd
infection
wildlife health
bacteria
February 19939 Sequent to the reports that serum antibody titers to Brucella antigen had been found in two bison cows which had aborted (Mohler, 1917) and that an isolate of Brucella abortus had been recovered from the testicles of a bison bull (Creech, 1930), the assumption has prevailed that B. abortus infection of bison is mimetic of bovine brucellosis. Included under the coverture of this assumption is the conviction that serum antibody titer levels in bison, as measured by the standard tube agglutination test, are correlated fully with titer levels in infected cattle and, therefore, are of equivalent diagnostic value in assessing the status of infection in bison.
Most investigators have classified bison with serotiters of 1:100 or 1:200 as seropositive reactors and viewed them as infected. Those with lesser titers have been considered suspects. Even with the continually expressed concerns about the high percentage of seropositive bison (30-80%) found during numerous surveys and about the potential for spread of the disease to cattle in state adjoining Yellowstone National Park (YNP), there are no literature reports documenting either the response of the YNP bison (or any other bison herd) to infection wit S~;
m Coburn, Don R. 1948S Report of Field Assignment at Yellowstone National Park January 10-January 29, 1948 30 YNP Yellowstone National Parkm Brucellosis
Yellowstone National Park
vaccination
herd reduction
slaughter
brucella abortus
bacteria brucella This report details a study of the Lamar Valley Bison. The purpose of the study is "to determine the effect of a combined field program of vaccination, and herd reduction by slaughter, of infected animals for control of Brucella abortus infection." The report contains tables that show the results of vaccination of the bison in Lamar Valley that were subject to the study. As well, there is a summary and conclusions for the study, and recommendations for the continuation of a vaccination program in Yellowstone National Park. 26 Found in Bison Library 26 m |gs.gov/products/GrizzlyBearNutrition-Ecology.pdf Found online, pdf on computerS http://www.natural-resourc 1 )the GYA.6 http://www.jstor.org/view/0022541x/ap0 *4%28199907%2963%3A +0YNPB%3E2.0.CO%3B2 = T70269/07a00090/0 Found online, pdf on computerZ http://lin ] for vaccinating GYA bison. 304, Found in Bison Library, document on computer 304P file: 3%3C950%3ABOPBAR%3E2.0.CO%3B2-8@ Found at Yellowstone Research Libary and online, pdf on computer5 Bison Library: 142, YRL: MAMMALS-BOVIDAE-BISON(ROFFE)Z http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-541X%28199907%2963%3A3%3C950%3ABOPBAR%3E2.0.CO -R2 Found in Bison Library and online, pdf on computer 70[ http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-541X%28199910%2963%3A4%3C1132%3ABIYNPB%3E2.0.CO%3B2-R NatureBib ID: 19364 -xlso are listed by host. Topics discussed include transmission of trichinosis and parasitism during hibernation.h http://www.bearstudy.org/website/images/stories/Publications/Parasites%20of%20Bears%20-%20A%20R 5 Aional Park. 189 Found in Bison Library 189 Na ,in Bison Library 41 NatureBib ID: 651967 ,n Library 318 318 NatureBib ID: 651970 @eview.pdf Found online, pdf on computer NatureBib ID: 652364 appropriate in bison. 2277 Found in Bison Library and Yellowstone Research Library$ Bison Library: 227, YRL: 599.643 I65 Na m allenged by several factors.: http://www.aquaculturehealth.com/AQUACULTUREHEATH%2004.pdf Found online, pdf 5 icient interest and value to other workers and admini ! lyear. It was killed because of t 5 $he animals killed. The samples were taken to the Mont in the IBMP until th Q |owstone Research Library 243$ Bison Library: 227, YRL: 599.643 I65 NatureBib 1 types of animals that are affected by the parasit 8ive to man, the prese % for ingestion that exceed species to ìh the plant and soil conditions. Wild and domestic animals have access to such sources of fluoride.
Excessive levels of fluoride in some mineral mixes used as livestock fe Lnd-worm, Bulbodacniti 1 ĈBulbodacnitis (Lane, 1916), but was unlike any of 1 Ɣd be expended on populations in isolated, small p l develop a fishable p 5 2Xact Statement, or BEMP (USDI 2005), prepared by staff pressures to feed elk.Z of the NER and GTNP, may affect brucellosis and potentially chronic wasting disease (CWD) in NER and GTNP elk and bison. Found online, pdf on he subject of Emily Almberg’s PhD dissertation at the University of Minnesota.> http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/upload/YS15(2)partII.pdf Found online, pdf on computer NatureBib ID: 652374 \ .A Found at Yellowstone Research Library and online, pdf on computer NatureBib ID: 634543 ( larger landscape 101, 4%), L. interrogans hardjo (seven of 101, 7%), L. interrogans autumnalis (one of 101, 1%), L. interrogans bratislava (seven of 101, 7%), L. interrogans australis (one of 101, 1%), and parainfluenza 3 virus (27 of 75, 36%). The low antibody titers and the lack of gross lesions are evidence that while previous exposure to infectious organisms may have occurred, none appeared to have active infections. 295 Found in Bison Library MAMMALS-BOVIDAE-BISON(TAYLOR) 295 NatureBib ID: 111941 + ؤ~; k GRTE
NER 1996J Jackson Bison Herd Long Term Management Plan and Environmental Assessment 140p.k National Park Service, National Elk Refuge, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Bridger-Teton National Forest Jackson Bison Herd
bison
management
environmental assessment
wildlife health
Wyoming
Jackson Hole
Grand Teton National Park
elk refuge
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteriaj Free-ranging bison (Bison bison) were reintroduced to Jackson Hole from the Jackson Hole Wildlife Park in Grand Teton National Park in 1969. My March 1996, the herd had grown from 16 animals to approximately 255. A number of unresolved bison management issues, some of which were controversial, led to the development of this Jackson Bison Herd Management Plan and Environmental Assessment by Grand Teton National Park (National Park Service) and the National Elk Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) in cooperation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Bridger-Teton National Forest (U.S. Forest Service). Since 1987, when a draft environmental assessment and management plan for the Jackson bison herd (JBH) was released but not adopted, the level of monitoring of the herd had increased and several studies of the herd's biology and ecology have been completed. That biological information, the results of two public scoping efforts in 1987 and 1991, and the agencies' concerns and responsibilities were integrated to form the goals and objectives of the draft Jackson Bison Herd Management Plan and Environmental Assessment released in November 1994. Public response to that draft Plan (see Appendix IV) and additional biological information provided the basis for changes that have been incorpfG ~; USDOI
USDOA 2000 Record of Decision for Final Environmental Impact Statement and Bison Management Plan for the State of Montana and Yellowstone National Park 75 YNP U.S. Government Printing OfficeI bison
brucellosis
Montana
management
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria This Record of Decision is the culmination of a planning process in excess of ten years regarding the management of bison that leave Yellowstone National Park and enter the Gallatin National Forest and private lands within the State of Montana. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was a product of the cooperative efforts of the Department of the Interior (National Park Service), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Forest Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service), and the State of Montana (Department of Livestock and Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks). The Final EIS was a product of the cooperative efforts of the Department of the Interior (National Park Service) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Forest Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service). The State of Montana has issued a separate final EIS under Montana law and has adopted and incorporated by reference the federal agencies' EIS.
This decision initiates the long-term management of the Yellowstone bison. The next steps are to continue research and take conservative but progressive steps toward cooperative management of the bison while protecting Montana's brucellosis class-free status. In recognition of the complexities of cooperative bison management, the federal and state agencies will work together on the research projects and the monitoring of the bison in each of the three steps described in the Joint Management Plan. 61: Found in Bison Library and at Yellowstone Research Library 61' Bison Library: 61, YRL: 599.7357 ;
Price, Dave 1994, Attempts to Control Bison Movements from YNP 3p. YNPa bison
Yellowstone National Park
brucellosis
migration
hazing
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria September 22, 1994 In 1968, in response to livestock industry concerns over brucellosis, private property damage, and public safety, the National Park Service proposed a program to control migrating bison at the boundary of Yellowstone National Park. Initially, the program relied on shooting bison that approached specified boundary areas. Through 1974, it appeared that this program would be adequate since park rangers had had to shoot only 3 bulls in 6 years.
The severe winter of 1975-1976 changed the situation. That winter approximately 80 bison move downstream along the Yellowstone River towards the northern boundary of the park. National Park Service and Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks personnel decided to experiment with hazing and herding, as an alternative to shooting, in order to discourage bison from leaving the park. Such methods met with limited success, but were continued and expanded when the Department of Interior rescinded the approval to shoot bison in 1978.
Over the next few years, increased numbers of bison attempted to cross the park's western and northern boundaries. Public concerns led to the National Park Service preparing and environmental assessment in 1986. The preferred alternative was one that included the experimental use of barriers and other devices to control and contain bison movements. The results of those experim
x; s Roffe, Thomas J.
Rhyan, Jack C.
Aune, Keith
Philo, L. Michael
Ewalt, Darla R.
Gidlewski, Thomas
Hennager, Steven G. 1999T Brucellosis in Yellowstone National Park Bison: Quantitative Serology and Infection 1132-1137 Journal of Wildlife Management 63 4u animal studies
bacteria
bacteriology
bison
Bison bison
Brucella abortus
brucellosis
serology
wildlife health
brucella 1999 We collected complete sets of tissues, fluids, and swabs (approx 30) from 37 Yellowstone National Park (YNP) female bison (Bison bison) killed as a result of management actions by the Montana Department of Livestock and YNP personnel. Our goal was to establish the relation between blood tests demonstrating an animal has antibody to Brucella and the potential of that animal to be infected during the second trimester of pregnancy the time when most management actions are taken. Twenty-eight of the 37 bison were seropositive adults (27)or a seropositive calf (1). We cultured samples using macerated whole tissues plated onto 4 Brucella selective media and-incubated with added CO2 for a week. Specimens fro1112 adult seropositive females were contaminated, thus eliminating them from our data. Twelve of the remaining 26 seropositive adult and calf female bison (46%)were culture positive for Brucella abortus from 1 or more tissues. Culture positive adult females had high serologic titers. All 11 adults measured <0.115 on the Particle Concentration Fluorescence Immunoassay(PCFIA),and 9 (82%)were <0.085. Complement fixation (CF) titers were >3+ at 1:40 for 10 of 11 (91%) animals. All culture positive female adults had either a PCFIA 50.080 or a CF reaction 24+ at 1:80. However 5 (36%)bison with high titers were culture negative for B. abortus. Our findings on the relation between Brucella serology and culture are similar to those reported from studies of chronically infected cattle herds. 70[ http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-541X%28199910/ ;
l V Lyon, L. Jack
Cain, Steve
Cheville, Norman F.
Davis, Don
Nicoletti, Paul
Stewart, Mark 1995F Risk of Transmission of Brucellosis from Infected Bull Bison to Cattle 4p.5 Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee] brucella
Brucella abortus
brucellosis
wildlife health
transmission
bison
cattle
bull
bacteria Informational Report August 1995 Bison in Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park are known to harbor the Brucella abortus organism. Although the testing program for this disease has been somewhat sporadic, a significant number of reactors has been regularly reported since the initial discovery in 1917. These seropositive animals are not considered a problem in the breeding biology of the bison herd. However, they are considered a possible source of brucellosis for cattle when they cross the Park boundaries.
Emigrating bison require consideration if there is any potential for transmission of brucellosis to domestic cattle. The normal transmission mode involves direct contact with tissues or discharges from female animals that have aborted. The danger of transmission by bulls is clearly less than the danger of transmission by bison cows; @; m ! Thorne, E. Tom
Herriges, James D. 1992C Brucellosis, Wildlife and Conflicts in the Greater Yellowstone AreaQ Transactions of the 57th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference Washington, D.C. Wildlife Management Institute animal studies
2. brucellosis
3. cattle
4. disease
5. elk (Cervus elaphus)
6. mammals
7. management
8. brucella
9. Brucella abortus
10. bacteria
11. wildlife health
12. bison (Bison bison) 1992` Conflicts between wildlife and cattle in western Wyoming probably began to occur when the first agricultural settler arrived in Jackson Hole in 1884. At that time, many traditional winter ranges of elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) were converted to hay fields for cattle feed during winter or to town sites, such as Jackson. In some cases, elk migration routes to historic winter ranges were blocked by a multitude of fences, roadways, communities, ranches and hunters. In 1910, the situation became so acute in Jackson Hole that the Wyoming Legislature appropriated $5,000 to feed elk near Jackson. This was done in response to complaints about hungry elk consuming hay stored for cattle feed and in anticipation of excessive elk deaths due to winter starvation. In 1912, federal legislation created the National Elk Refuge, and winter feeding of elk on an artificial diet of hay was well on its way to becoming a poor substitute for native winter ranges and incomplete resolution of elk and cattle conflicts (Boyce 1989)
Marked changes also were occurring within and on the fringes of the rest of the vas wilderness area occupying parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho that is now known as the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA). In fact, Congress had already (1872) designated Yellowstone National Park as the nation's first National Park in order to protect the numerous and unique natural wonders of the area, including wildlife. Congress also designated much of the land adjacent to Yellowstone as the fir' 脀; %
Kurz, Gregg L. 1999+ Review of the Viability of Brucella abortus 4p.` Bison Ecology and Management Office, Yellowstone Center for Resources: Yellowstone National Parki animal studies
bison
Bison bison
brucellosis
disease
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria literary review 1999 Maintaining separation of bison and cattle on public land beyond the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) has been determined to be an acceptable method of minimizing the risk of transmission of Brucella abortus from bison to cattle. Cheville and McCullough, in their 1998 review of brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), identify spatial and temporal separation as the first step toward reducing the risk of B. abortus transmission from wildlife to domestic livestock. Current management proposals state that bison will be removed from public grazing allotments 30-60 days prior to cattle "on dates" of June 15 and July 1 in order to avoid exposure of cattle to possible sources of infection. Data on the viability of the bacteria in the environment may be useful in setting a more exact time period for separation as well as in determining if it is necessary to haze bison from public land in the early winter months. The following information is a so dL; 2 Forbes, Lorry B.
Tessaro, Stacy Victor
Lees, Wayne 1996? Experimental Studies on Brucella abortus in Moose (Alces alces) 94-104 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 32 1 Wildlife Disease Association moose
Alces alces
pathogenesis
experimental infection
brucella abortus
biovar 1
serology
bacteriology
hematology
brucellosis
endotoxemia
brucella
bacteria
wildlife health 1996 Four moose (Alces alces) were inoculated conjunctivally with B. abortus biovar 1 to determine their susceptibility to brucellosis, and to describe the serology, bacteriology, hematology, clinical chemistry, and pathology associated with infection. All moose became infected. Two moose were killed at day 70 post-exposure, one (83F) died acutely at day 85, and one was killed at day 166. None of the moose had clinical signs, except for 83F immediately before death. Infected moose were readily detected serologically by the buffered antigen plate test, Brewer card test, standard tube agglutination test, and complement fixation test as used for brucellosis in cattle. With the exception of samples from 83F taken 24 hours before death, clinical chemistry, and hematology results were stable for all moose, and similar to normal values seen in cattle. Lesions seen in all moose were indicative of endotoxemia, and moose 83F died of acute endotoxic shock. Brucella abortus biovar 1 was isolated from several tissues in all moose, most notably from lymph nodes where counts often exceeded 4 x 10(4) colony forming units per g of tissue. Thus infection with B. abortus will kill moose, and progression of the disease is likely rapid under field conditions. Moose appear to be a dead-end host for brucellosis.
793 http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/reprint ; Z Huff, Dan E.
Varley, John D. 1999@ Natural Regulation in Yellowstone National Park's Northern Range 17-29 Ecological Applications 9 1 animal studies
carrying capacity
Cervus elaphus
elk
National Park Service
natural process management
natural regulation
northern range
overpopulation
plant studies
policy
range management
wildlife health
wildlife management
general wildlife health studies February, 1999 Although the debate over natural regulation as practiced in Yellowstone National Park has been underway since the initiation of the natural process management policy in 1969, controversy over the management of Yellowstone's northern range dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. The debate over natural regulation combines elements of scientific disagreement with contrasting social values. Some scientists and range managers critical of natural regulation management have viewed the northern range as seriously eroded and overgrazed due to an overpopulation of elk. Data, and the interpretations thereof, have been published supporting this viewpoint. Other scientists have challenged this opinion with the results of longer term studies and disparate interpretations of data gathered by the critics. Contrasting social values range from support for the "hands-off" management policy for ungulates in Yellowstone National Park to limiting ungulate populations to prevent eminent deterioration of the range.
It is the opinion of the authors that extensive published data support the position that current elk populations and_ 78D; Anez, Bob 1994 Montana to sue U.S. over bison The Billings Gazette Billings, Montana6 bison
law
montana
brucella
brucellosis
wildlife health December 14, 1994 This is a short Billings Gazette Newspaper article pertaining to the plans of the State of Montana to sue federal agencies for the movement of bison out of Yellowstone National Park into Montana. The State of Montana wants the federal agencies managing the bison (DOI's National Park Service and USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) to agree on a plan to deal with the problem of bison emigrating out of
; G Jensen, A. E.
Ewalt, D.R.
Cheville, Norman F.
Thoen, C. O.
Payeur, J.B. 1996 Determination of Stability of Brucella abortus RB51 by Use of Genomic Fingerprint, Oxidative Metabolism, and Colonial Morphology and Differentiation of Strain RB51 from B. abortus Isolates from Bison and Elk 628-633 Journal of Clinical Microbiology 34h strain RB51
brucella abortus
brucella
brucellosis
stability
bison
elk
cattle
wildlife health
vaccination March, 1996r Brucella abortus RB51 and isolates from cattle, bison, and elk were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and standard techniques for biotyping Brucella species, which included biochemical, morphological, and antigenic techniques, phage susceptibility, and antibiotic resistance. The objectives were to ascertain the stability of RB51 and to differentiate RB51 from other brucellae. Genomic restriction endonuclease patterns produced by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis demonstrated a unique fingerprint for RB51 relative to other brucellae. Comparisons of the oxidative metabolic profiles of RB51 after time in vivo (14 weeks) and in vitro (75 passages) showed no change in characteristic patterns of oxygen uptake on selected amino acid and carbohydrate substrates. Strain RB51 was biotyped as a typical rough B. abortus biovar 1 (not strain 19) after animal passage or a high number of passages in vitro and remained resistant to rifampin or penicillin and susceptible to tetracycline. No reactions with A or M antiserum or with a monoclonal antibody to the O antigen of Brucella lipopolysaccharides were detected; however, RB51 agglutinated with R antiserum. The results indicate that the genomic fingerprint and rough colonial morphology of RB51 are stable characteristics and can be used to differentiate this vaccine strain from Brucella isolates from cattl ;
Derr, Mark 2002# Genetically, Bison Don't Measure Up 2p. The New York Times New York, New York, bison
cattle
genetics
cattle
wildlife health April 23, 2002 This New York Times article discusses both the history of the wild bison in North America and the hybrid cross between cattle and bison that has been discovered. The only places that are free of the hybrid bison are Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt and Wind Cave National Parks in addition to a few privately owned herds. The article discusses how hybrid bison came about, its importance, and what it means for the future of the American Bison. 13
c ; C b Roffe, Thomas J.
Olsen, Steven C.
Gidlewski, Thomas
Jensen, A. E.
Palmer, Mitchell V.
Huber, Royce 1999E Biosafety of Parenteral Brucella abortus RB51 Vaccine in Bison Calves 950-955 Journal of Wildlife Management 63 3 animal studies
brucella abortus
brucellosis
bison
wildlife health
biosafety
strain RB51
brucella
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
Yellowstone National Park
bacteria
vaccination
July, 1999= Vaccination is considered among the primary management tools for reducing brucellosis prevalence in Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) ungulates. Before their use, however, vaccine safety and efficacy must be demonstrated. Twenty-seven female bison (Bison bison) calves (approx 5 months old) were vaccinated with Brucella abortus Strain RB51 (1.5 X 101° colony forming units [CFU], subcutaneously) as part of routine management. We assessed the persistence, pathology, shedding, and transmission associated with RB51 by serial necropsy): bacteriology, histopathology and serology of 20 of these 27 vaccinated calves, and RB51 serology of 10 nonvaccinated, commingling adult females. With the exception of 1calf, RB51 dot-blot titers at necropsy were <1:80. Strain RB51 was cultured from lymph nodes in 4 of 4 calves at 14 weeks postvaccination (PV), 4 of 4 calves at 18 weeks PI7, 1 of 4 calves at 22 weeks PV, 3 of 4 at 26 weeks PV, and 0 of 4 calves at 30 weeks PV. No gross lesions were observed. Mild histologic changes occurred only in a few draining lymph nodes early in sampling. Adverse clinical effects were not observed in vaccinates. Swabs from nasopharynx, conjunctiva, rectum, and vagina were uniformly culture negative for RB51. Strain RB51 dot-blot assays of bison cows were negative at a 1:20 dilution at 26 weeks PL7. Our results suggest that RB51 persists longer in bison calves than in domestic cattle and is systemically distributed within lymphatic tissues. However, bison apparently clear the RB51 vaccine strain without shedding, transmission, or significant adverse reactions. 142Z http://links.jstor.o c A;3 4 A. Alonso Aguirre
Edward E. Starkey
Donald E. Hansen 1995- Wildlife Diseases in National Park Ecosystems 415-419 Wildlife Society Bulletin 23 3= management
wildlife health
disease
mammals
national parks 1995b Until 1991, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) managed 337 areas covering some 32 million ha (79 million acres) in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Several additions, redesignations, and incorporations have occurred since then. The diversity of national parks is reflected in their titles, including national monuments, national preserves, national lakeshores, national seashores, national rivers, national recreation areas, and others.
The role of wildlife disease in these protected ecosystems has received relatively little attention in the past, which is reflected in the limited discussion of disease in the Management Policies for the National Park System (NPS 1988). Diseases are mentioned briefly as part of exotic species and pest management. Diseases are discussed in more detail in the NPS's natural resources guidelines (NPS 1991).
This discussion focuses on conditions which might justify control of diseases in native animal populations such as exotic disease, threat to human health, threat to relict species, as well as the control of arthropod disease vectors. Our information is derived from a mail questionnaire and an extensive literature review performed in 1990-1991. Individuals representing a total of 179 national parks, 123 state agencies, 103 federal agencies, and 98 colleges and universities responded to our questionnaire. The literature survey gathered information on diseases reported in wild mammals in national parks. Information also was gathered on zoonoses, domestic animal diseases, animal health programs, pack animals and pets in national parks, livestock grazing in park ecosystems, and policies and regulations on domestic animal management within parks. The literature review and survey results were published in a technical report (Aguirre et al. 1993), available from the Denver Service Center, Technical Information Center, P.O. Box 25287, Denver CO 80225. Although our survey design did not permit strong inferential uses, herein we highlight our findings and discuss potential problems and policy implications that may warrant more detailed scrutiny.4 Found online, pdf on computer, citation in NatureBibZ http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0091-7 @; % Aguirre, A. Alonso
Starkey, Edward E. 1994S Wildlife Disease in U.S. National Parks: Historical and Coevolutionary Perspectives 654-661 Conservation Biology 8 3 disease
national parks
history
brucellosis
Yellowstone National Park
animal studies
bovine brucellosis
disease
lung-worm pneumonia
ungulates
wildlife health
general wildlife health studies September 1994 Diseases of wildlife have significant management implications in a number of lands of the U.S. National Park Service due to increasing interactions between wildlife and domestic animals. We review the paleontology, history, and coevolution of infectious diseases in North American ungulates. We provide two examples related to bovine brucellosis in bison in Yellowstone National Park and lungworm pneumonia complex in bighorn sheep in several western national parks. These examples illustrate the difficulty of managing wild populations and their diseases in national parks and other protected areas. In some instances, human intervention may be justifiable in order to protect native populations, domestic animals, and humans from acquiring a disease. 1544 Found online, pdf on computer, citation in NatureBib 154 http://www.jstor.org/cgi-bin/jstor/printpage/00917648L/ [;
Creech, G. T. 1930* Brucella Abortus Infection in a Male Bison 35-36 North Am. Vet. 11\ brucella abortus
infectious abortion
bison
Yellowstone National Park
bull
brucella
bacteria 1930 This article makes reference to three female bison in Yellowstone National Park that test positive for brucellosis. However, the article mainly pertains to a male bison from the National Bison Range in Moiese, Montana who was castrated due to enlargement of the testicles. The article details the examination and findings of the dissection of the testicles including a positive test for Brucella abortus. 162 Found in Bison Library Z ,Ĕ;
Altenhofen, Kelly J. Biobullet Delivery Systems and Bison Management Using Remote Delivery Systems for Immunizing Free Ranging Bison in Yellowstone National Park 12 Brookings, South Dakota South Dakota State Universityy bison
Yellowstone National Park
remote delivery
vaccination
bacteria
brucellosis
wildlife health
vaccine delivery methods Nontraditional approaches have been used successfully in recent years to manage wildlife populations. Contraception has also been evaluated as an alternative to hunting and culling operations in wildlife management (Kesler, 1996). Vaccines, antibiotics and anthelminthics have also been administered with success to wildlife populations (Herriges et al. 1991). However, the implementation of an effective program depends to a great deal on how efficiently various vaccines and contraceptive can be delivered (DeNicola, Kesler and Swihart).
Implantation is effective, but it requires animal restraint and is stressful to the treated animal. Excessive physical manipulation of wildlife by means such as corals, squeeze chutes and mechanical restraints can be time consuming, extremely costly and dangerous both to humans and animals (Eagle et al. 1990, Turner et al. 1992). Darts are also effective, but concerns over darts lost is heavily used recreation areas may prevent this option. A remote delivery system using a projectile or biobullet may alleviate this problem. A remote delivery system using a biobullet could also reduce the amount of physical manipulation is necessary to successfully vaccinate or implant selected wildlife herds. This biobullet technology has been successfully used [to] vaccinate elk, bighorn sheep and cattle. It has also been used to administer immobilizing agents to black-tailed deer and to deliver passive integrated transponder tags to cattle and fallow deer (Herriges et al. 1991, Jessup et al. 1992, Kesler 1996). This research proposal would investigate the feasibility of using remote delivery systems and biobullet technology to vaccinate free ranging herds of bison in Yellowstone National Park. If this method of remote delivery was to prove successful, it could possibly be used as a tool for implementing a future risk management program for the control of brucellosis in bison at Yellowstone Nat c l ; ? Herriges, James D.
Thorne, E. Tom
Anderson, S. L.
Dawson, H. A. 1989y Vaccination of Elk in Wyoming with Reduced Dose Strain 19 Brucella: Controlled Studies and Ballistic Implant Field Trials 640-654B 93rd Annual Meeting of the United States Animal Health Association Las Vegas, Nevadau vaccination
elk
Wyoming
feedgrounds
strain 19
remote delivery
ballistic implant
brucella
brucella abortus
brucellosis 1989 The presence of brucellosis has been documented in 15 of 23 elk (Cervus elaphus) herds supplementally fed during winter months in western Wyoming. Prevalence among adult females was 16-50% on the five most extensively tested feedgrounds. Controlled studies of the effectiveness in elk of reduces dose strain 19 Brucella abortus vaccine was tested and field trials of ballistic implant delivery system were conducted. An airgun was used to propel a methylcellulose biobullet containing lyophilized vaccine, which implants in the muscle tissue, dissolves, and is absorbed. Five hand-held syringe and biobullet-delivered vaccine trials were conducted with challenge at six to 106 weeks postvaccination. No abortions or positive hemocultures were observed following vaccination and prior to challenge. Elk vaccinated with biobullets containing 5.6-7.6 X 109 cfu showed higher antibody titers than elk vaccinated by hand with 1.3-1.5 X 109 cfu; low dose (3.7 X 107 cfu) biobullet vaccinates showed titers similar to hand vaccinates. This indicated that the effective dose of biobullet-delivered strain 19 was near the dose loaded into the biobullet. Reduced dose strain 19-induced titers were less persistent in cow and calf elk than those due to standard dose vaccine. Calving success following challenge was 23 (62%) of 37 among vaccinates and was 3 (33%) of 9 among nonvaccinates. At necropsy, 19 (45%) of 42 vaccinates and 9 (69%) of 13 controls were infected. Indices of infection of vaccinate groups were lower than their matched controls. In field trials, elk were marked with an airgun propelled, gelatin-encased paint ball and biobullet was immediately implanted in the hind quarter. Cow and calf elk were marked and vaccinated from a feed sled or trailer as they fed on hay. Field trials were begun in 1984 and approximately 8,000 doses have been administered to elk on seven feedgrounds. An estimated 3,824 elk were vaccinated during winter 1989, including 88-100% of calves and 71-91% of cows on each feedground. 190 Found in Bi ; , Thorne, E. Tom
Walthall, T. J.
Dawson, H. A. 19812 Vaccination of Elk with Strain 19 Brucella abortus 359-374B 85th Annual Meeting of the United States Animal Health Association St. Louis, MissouriY vaccination
elk
brucella abortus
Sybille Wildlife Research Unit
strain 19
wildlife health 1981 To examine their response to Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine, 5 groups of elk were formed from 1977 through 1979. Two groups were challenged with B. abortus type 1 strain 2308 at about 6 weeks, 2 groups were challenged at about 1 year, and 1 group was challenged at about 2 years postvaccination. There was no adverse reaction at the site of inoculation, but approximately 27% of the vaccinated pregnant elk aborted fetuses from which strain 19 was recovered. Psychological and nutritional stress associated with having recently been placed in captivity may have predisposed elk to strain 19 associated abortions. The serologic response of elk to vaccination was similar to that of cattle. Overall calving success of vaccinated elk following challenge was 60% while that of nonvaccinated elk was 31%; vaccinated elk challenged at 6 weeks and 2 years postvaccination experienced fewer abortions than did those challenged at 1 year postvaccination. At necropsy, infection rates determined bacteriologically were slightly lower in elk challenged at 6 weeks postvaccination than in their matched controls. The opposite was true in elk challenged at 1 year postv ; m 1 Herriges, James D.
Thorne, E. Tom
Anderson, S. L. 1991V Vaccination to Control Brucellosis in Free-Ranging Elk on Western Wyoming Feed Grounds 107-112 The Biology of Deer Brown, Robert D. New York, NY Springerz animal studies
brucellosis
disease
elk
Cervus elaphus
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
management
vaccination
wildlife health Approximately 22,500 elk are fed during winter months at 23 feed grounds in Wyoming to reduce winter mortality and depredation on agricultural crops. Brucellosis was documented on 18 feed grounds and seroprevalence among adult females averaged 37% (range 16 to 50). Nonfed elk populations were generally free of brucellosis. Strain 19 Brucella abortus vaccine was shown to reduce infection and abortion in elk. A vaccination program was initiated to increase calf production and decrease the potential of transmission of the disease to livestock. An airgun was used to implant a methylcellulose pellet containing lyophilized vaccine in muscle tissue. Vaccinated elk were marked with a gelatin-encased, oil-base paint ball. Elk were first acclimated to human activity and then to the report of the airgun through repeated dry-firing at gradually increased volumes. Cow and calf elk were marked and vaccinated from feed sleds as they fed on hay. Over 13,000 doses were administered during 1985-1990 on nine feed grounds. An estimated 4700 elk were vaccinated during winter 1990, ;{ ; T Olsen, Steven C.
Cheville, Norman F.
Kunkle, R. A.
Palmer, Mitchell V.
Jensen, A. E. 1997 Bacterial Survival, Lymph Node Pathology, and Serological Responses of Bison (Bison bison) Vaccinated with Brucella abortus Strain RB51 or Strain 19 146-151 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 33 1 vaccination
brucella abortus
brucellosis
bacteria
bison
Bison bison
brucella
serology
strain 19
strain RB51
vaccine
wildlife health 1997! From August 1993 to June 1994, 3 month-old bison (Bison bison) were vaccinated with Brucella abortus strain RB51 (SRB51, n=6), strain 19 (S19, n=3), or with saline (n=1) and serologic responses and persistence of vaccine strains within lymph nodes were monitored. Bison vaccinated with S19 had granulomatous lymphadenitis and greater peak numbers of B. abortus than those vaccinated with SRB51. Bison vaccinated with RB51 had similar histological lesions and B. abortus were still present in lymph nodes at 16 weeks. Although antibodies against RB51 were produced, standard tube agglutination test responses of RB51-vaccinates remained negative. The histological lesions of B. abortus infections in bison were similar to those observed in cattleK <; NationalParkService 1996B Evaluation of Brucella abortus Vaccine Strain RB51 in Bison Calves 29 YNP National Park Serviceg environmental assessment
brucella
Brucella abortus
calf
vaccination
vaccine
strain RB51
wildlife health This environmental assessment analyzes the type and extent of environmental consequences of conducting a research project to evaluate the biosafety of B. abortus vaccine strain RB51 in bison calves. Few studies on the biosafety and efficacy of B. abortus vaccines in bison have been conducted. Previous biosafety investigations to determine the persistence of tissue colonization and serological response to RB51 used small numbers of female bison calves (Olsen et al. 1994). Cultures were performed only on lymph node biopsies to 16 weeks postvaccination; serology was performed only to 20 weeks post-inoculation. No necropsies were performed and no pathological evaluations were conducted. Results of that study found that strain RB51 colonization persisted beyond week 16 and serological titers persisted to at least week 20. This contrasts with cattle calves, in which colonization persisted only to 12 weeks post-inoculation. Olsen et al. (1994) concluded that the actual duration of RB51 persistence in bison calves is unknown; consequently, biosafety was not determined.
The proposed research project will build on previous findings by determining the persistence of RB51 vaccines in both male and female bison calves. Thorough necropsies will identify sites of infection, and will also provide opportunities to determine if RB51 causes potential pathological changes in male and female bison calves. The proposed biosafety tests will evaluate the physiologic and pathologic effects of administering the vaccine to a target population and will determine if live bacteria resulting from the vaccine- z S ;
k Smith, Bruce L.
Roffe, Thomas J. 1997@ Effectiveness of Strain 19 Vaccine to Control Brucellosis in Elk 11 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servicec brucellosis
elk
elk refuge
vaccination
strain 19
Brucella abortus
brucella
bacteria
wildlife health August 21, 1997 Clinical trials and field studies of strain 19 Brucella abortus vaccine were reviewed to evaluate the effectiveness of strain 19 in reducing the prevalence of brucellosis in elk. Much of the information reviewed comes from reports and symposia proceedings of the clinical trials conducted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department at their Sybille Research Center north of Laramie, Wyoming. Elk used in clinical trials were captured at the National Elk Refuge, a known brucellosis infected herd. Trials conducted from 1977-1979 with full dose strain 19 vaccine in female calf elk and pregnant adult female elk induced abortion in 27-32% of experimental elk. Retained titers in vaccinated elk, which confounds seroprevalence monitoring over time, were also reported in those trials. Five additional vaccination trials with reduced dose strain 19 vaccine, were conducted from 1981-1988. Both full dose and reduced dose experiments suffered from inadequate sample sizes, lack of replication, seroconversion of elk during the trials, and loss of calves to undetermined sources and causes other than brucellosis. Protection against abortion during all trials was based upon calving success of pregnant animals. The researchers combined results of the 3 full dose trials, and likewise the results of the 5 reduced dose trials, to estimate protection against brucellosis afforded by strain 19. Using these data, both doses provided a vaccine efficacy against abortion of 29% (60% calving success in full dose vaccinates and 31% success in controls; 62% calving success in reduced dose vaccinates and 33% success in controls), and the reduced dose trials provided a 24% efficacy against infection subsequent to challenge. Because each trial was conducted differently, and because of inadequate sample sizes within trials, statistical tests cannot be used to infer any significance of the trial results. Thus there remains insufficient information to judge the efficacy of strain 19 vaccine in # p; 7 Tessaro, Stacy Victor
Forbes, Lorry B.
Turcotte, Claude 1990b A survey of brucellosis and tuberculosis in bison in and around Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada 174-180 Canadian Veterinary Journal 31 Canada
brucella
bacteria
bison
Brucella abortus
brucellosis
Mycobacterium bovis
tuberculosis
wildlife health
Wood Buffalo National Park
March 1990F Examinations of complete or partial remains of 72 bison found dead in and around Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada, revealed evidence of brucellosis in 18 (25%) and tuberculosis in 15 (21%), with a combined prevalence of 42%. Urease-positive and urease negative strains of Brucella abortus biovar 1, and strains of biovar 2, were isolated from tissues of bison including synovium and exudate from severe arthritic lesions. Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from a range of granulomatous lesions that were similar to those reported in tuberculous cattle. Diseased bison had a broad geographical distribution, and were found outside the park on at least three natural corridors. The diseases have a deleterious effect on this population of bison, and pose a health risk t
* ;
WYGame&Fish 1988S Immune Response of Elk Vaccinated with a Reduced Dose of Strain 19 Brucella Vaccine Cheyenne Wyoming Game and Fish DepartmentW elk
brucella
brucellosis
brucella abortus
vaccination
strain 19
wildlife health
disease0 Job Performance Report: Research Project Segment June 30,1988 Vaccination of free-ranging elk using biobullet delivered strain 19 was conducted for the fourth year at Greys River Feedground, for the third year at Green River Lakes Feedground, and for the first year at Forest Park Feedground. Due to an unknown change by the manufacturer in biobullets which caused them to be very inaccurate, initiation of vaccination was delayed until late February and March and the number of feedgrounds on which vaccination could be conducted was limited to three. In spite of this, 1,643 doses were administered. Assuming 12 percent revaccination of elk due to loss of paint marks, approximately 69 percent and 100 percent of the cows and calves, respectively, at Greys River Feedground were vaccinated. Assuming six percent revaccination at the other two feedgrounds where vaccination efforts lasted about three weeks, 56 percent of the cows and 96 percent of all calves at Green River Lakes, and 86 percent of all cows and 95 percent of the calves at Forest Park were vaccinated. Vaccination efficiency was increased by modification of paint ball guns through attaching them to biobullet guns and connecting them into the air source. This allowed rapid operation of both guns by one person. Work to acclimate elk to vaccination activities continued at Finnegan and North Piney feedgrounds and was initiated at the National Elk Refuge. Four additional semipermanent corral elk traps were constructed. Another controlled study of the efficacy of biobullet-delivered strain 19 Brucella vaccine in elk was begun with the capture and transport to the Sybille Wildlife Research and Conservation Education Unit of 25 mature female elk. Two groups of elk were formed and vaccinated with either a high or a low range of the strain 19 reduced dose vaccine; a third served as unvaccinated controls. All elk in both vaccinated groups showed positive titers by two weeks postvaccination and maintained titers at slightly lower levels at 12 weeks postvaccination. 226
C 0; C Aune, Keith
Roffe, Thomas J.
Rhyan, Jack C.
Mack, John
Clark, Wendy 1997} Preliminary Results on Home Range, Movements, Reproduction and Behavior of Female Bison in Northern Yellowstone National Park 61-70H International Symposium on Bison Ecology and Management in North America Irby, Lynn R
J. Knight Bozeman, MT Montana State University bison
Yellowstone National Park
migration
reproduction
behavior
ecology
bacteria
brucella
brucella abortus
animal studies
brucellosis
northern range
Lamar Valley June 4-7, 1997D We captured and radio collared 10 female bison in 1995 and an additional 12 female bison in 1996 in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park during a study of the epidemiology and pathogenicity of brucellosis in bison. Bison were regularly radio-tracked between October 1995 and May 1997. Pregnancy was determined using ultrasound in the October captures and by rectal palpation in February captures. Bison calving behavior was recorded during eight observation sessions. Calving success was determined by inserting vaginal transmitters in collared females 1-3 months prior to parturition and by daily radio tracking females to observe newborn calves. In 1996-97, we also determined late winter pregnancy status in 19 female bison killed and necropsied during winter control measures and 111 adult females captured in handling facilities within YNP. The average female bison home range was 54,126 ha. (Range=28,590-91,770). Bison are elevational migrants occupying significantly lower elevation habitats during winter and spring than during summer and fall. In winter 1995-96, three female bison did not leave the Lamar Valley. Seven female bison moved to the Gardiner Basin in March and remained until May when they migrated to the Madison Junction area. One of these bison continued moving to West Yellowstone and eventually summered in Hayden Valley. All 20 marked female bison migrated from the Lamar Valley to the Gardiner Basin in January 1996 and returned to summer range during April. All marked female bison were pregnant in October 1995, and 9 of 10 (90%) produced calves between April 28 and May 13, 1996. In 1996, 20 of 22 marked female bison were pregnant in October and 8 of 16 (50%) surviving mothers calved between April 19 and May 31, 1997. Thirteen of 19 female bison necropsied during winter control measures, and 89 of 111 captured bison, palpated during capture, were pregnant for a total pregnancy rate of 78.5%. Pregnancy rates were significantly higher in prime aged females (4-8) but lower in young aged (2-3) and old aged (>8) female bison. Eleven of 13 (84.6%) and 10 of 14 (71.4%) ovary pairs examined macroscopically in 1995 and 1996 respectively had corpora lutea. Corpora albicans were present in 53.8 and 64.3% of the ovary pairs from 1995 and 1996 respectively. Female bison in the Lamar are capable of becoming pregnant with the previous year's calf by their side. Intraspecific interactions are frequent and physical contact with birth products common during birthing events. Calving was rapid, usually less than 3 hours, and calves were precocial. Fourteen birthsites were found to be relatively clean with limited tissue and fluids remaining following birth events. We discuss the implications of our findings toward understanding bison population dynamics and the management of b `; # Chisholm, Jane
Comin, Lou
Unka, Tom 1998V Consensus-Based Research to Assist with Bison Management in Wood Buffalo National Park 199-204H International Symposium on Bison Ecology and Management in North America Irby, L.
Knight, J. Bozeman, Montana Montana State University bison
management
wood buffalo national park
disease
wildlife health
bovine brucellosis
brucellosis
bovine tuberculosis
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria June 4-7, 1997 The long term goal for managing bison in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada, is to maintain viable, free-ranging populations. This goal must be achieved while protecting the ecological and cultural integrity of the park ecosystems. Bison management within the park boundaries is complicated by: the presence of bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis in the park herds, external socioeconomic pressures, and pending aboriginal land claim settlements. A lack of information on the ecological effects of the diseases on park bison herds and associated ecosystems is also a concern. In 1995, a Bison Research and Containment Program was announced to facilitate directed research on issues related to bison ecology, and to prevent the spread of brucellosis and tuberculosis to disease-free bison herds north of the park. The program is coordinated by Parks Canada with advice provided by a multi-stakeholder committee. Committee members represent local aboriginal communities, territorial and provincial governments, ENGOs and the scientific community. Committee recommendations to Parks Canada are primarily consensus based.
The information gathered through this program will be us 9
; } 4 Gates, C. Cormack
Elkin, Brett T.
Beaulieu, Danny C. 1997v Initial Results of an Attempt to Eradicate Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis from Wood Bison Herd in Northern Canada 221-228H International Symposium on Bison Ecology and Management in North America Irby, Lynn R.
Knight, J. Bozeman, Montana Montana State Universityz bison
bovine tuberculosis
brucellosis
eradication
Wood Buffalo National Park
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
Canada June 4-7, 1997E In 1990 the federally appointed Northern Diseased Bison Assessment Panel recommended the depopulation of tuberculosis and brucellosis infected free-ranging bison herds in and around Wood Buffalo National Park and their replacement with disease free wood bison. The recommendation was strongly protested by many sectors of the Canadian public. The major reasons for opposition were impairment of ecosystem integrity and loss of genetic diversity represented in the infected herds. An alternative approach to depopulation was conceived jointly by the Deninu Kue First Nation and the Government of the Northwest Territories and is being implemented as a pilot project for one infected bison herd. The program involves a phased approach to disease eradication and recovery of the Hook Lake wood bison herd located in the eastern Slave River Lowlands. In May 1996, and again in May 1997, 20 one- to ten-day-old calves were captured by net gun and were placed into an isolation facility at Fort Resolution where they were treated with a combination of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent or eliminate infection with Mycobacterium bovis and Brucella abortus microorganisms potentially present perinataly. Calves were housed in isolated pairs until they reached 12 months of age. Multiple testing with the intradermal tuberculin test for tuberculosis and serology for Brucella antibodies revealed one skin test positive calf and a suspicious Brucella reactor. The tuberculin positive calf was slaughtered with its pen mate. No pathology was grossly evident on post mortem examination, however acid fast bacilli were detected in a minute granulomatous lesion in a mediastinal lymph node on histopathology. The species of Mycobacterium has not yet been identified. The suspicious Brucella reactor and its pen mate are held in isolation pending further testing. 227: Found in Bison Library and at Yell ~; Y Gilsdorf, Michael J. 1997! Brucellosis in Bison-Case Studies 1-10H International Symposium on Bison Ecology and Management in North America Irby, Lynn R
J. Knight Bozeman, Montana Montana State UniversityN brucellosis
bison
management
brucella abortus
widlife health
brucella bacteria June 4-7, 1997 Brucella abortus, or brucellosis, is an infectious bacterial disease of several species of ruminants throughout the world. In the United States, a program to eliminate this disease in livestock was started in 1934. During that time, several public and private bison herds have been found to be infected with brucellosis. The various procedures used to eliminate brucellosis from several public and one private herd will be reviewed and the advantages and disadvantages discussed. 227% F=
[ ;
Howe, Rodney 1997H Mitigation Strategies for Managing Brucellosis in the Jackson Bison Herd 11-22H International Symposium on Bison Ecology and Management in North America Irby, Lynn R.
J. Knight Bozeman, MT Montana State University bison
Bison bison
brucellosis
disease
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Jackson Hole, WY
wildlife health
elk refuge
animal studies
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria June 4-7, 1997 This report presents the estimated risk of exposing approximately 2,000 domestic cattle to brucellosis from infected bison of the Jackson Bison Herd. The scope of this risk assessment is limited to Wyoming cattle producers that surround the National Elk Refuge north of Jackson Hole, Wyoming
The two wildlife disease models used in this study estimate the probability of infection to domestic cattle from brucellosis infection found in approximately 250 bison of the Jackson Bison Herd. Possible mitigation strategies are based on the four preferred alternatives outlined in the Grand Teton National Park's Long Term Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (LTMP-EA 1996). The wildlife disease model estimates the time it takes to reduce brucellosis prevalence in the Jackson Bison Herd, and the effect of vaccination on disease reduction in bison and subsequent reduction of effective contact between bison and domestic cattle.
The population dynamics portion of the study uses Susceptible, Exposed, Infected and Removed (SEIR) equations to characterize the disease in free-ranging bison. The SEIR model is initiated through a state transition of current disease dynamics in bison. The vaccination effects portion of the study is a risk-based biased mixing model representing the likelihood of passing brucellosis from infected bison to vaccinated cattle.
The risk estimate for the SEIR state transition model is represented as the number of years before the preferred alternatives of the LTMP-EA show a reduction in brucellosis prevalence in the Jackson Bison Herd. For example, assuming that RB51 vaccine is 65% effective in bison, and there is 100% vaccination in bison, the prevalence of brucellosis in vaccinated bison would drop from 27% to 2% in 10 years. This reduction is predicated upon implementation of the preferred alternatives that state there will be a 'fair chase' hunt of bison to maintain the population at present levels, and that baiting will be used to keep bison off the National Elk Refuge.
The wildlife risk-based model takes into account the different types of risk of spreading brucellosis from elk to bison and bison to cattle that are vaccinated against this disease. The risk estimate for spreading brucellosis from bison to vaccinated cattle is represented as the number of years before brucellosis is detected in on of the six herds along the migration routes of the Jackson Bison Herd. Altogether, these six herds contain approximately 2,000 cattle. Simulation results show that given the current level of 27% prevalence in bison it will take in excess of 27 years before brucellosis is detected in domestic cattle, as long as the Wyoming producers continue to vaccinate 100% of their cattle and bison are kept at a distance on average of 100 yards. This estimate is based on the avoidance behavior of cattle and bison on Forest Service grazing allotments during summer migration of bison. Should bison abort their ; " Huff, Dan E.
Kruckenberg, Larry L. 1997 Role of the Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee in Sustainable Management of Bison in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem 238-243H International Symposium on Bison Ecology and Management in North America Irby, Lynn R
J. Knight Bozeman, MT Montana State University bison
management
Greater Yellowstone Area
GYIBC
animal studies
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria June 4-7, 1997 The Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee (GYIBC) was established in 1994 at the requests of the governors of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, through a Memorandum of Understanding also signed by the U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior. The goal of the GYIBC is "to protect and sustain the existing free-ranging elk and bison populations of the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) and protect the public interests and economic viability of the livestock industry in the three states." The mission of the committee is "to facilitate the development and implementation of brucellosis management plans for elk and bison in the GYA." The GYIBC has been active for over two and one-half years and has sponsored, contributed to, or catalyzed significant accomplishments in the areas of multi-agency management and research of brucellosis in bison and elk. A national symposium on brucellosis was held in 1994, bringing together the nation's technical experts and responsible resource managers to discuss the status of brucellosis knowledge. Several important technical papers have been produced for the committee by top practitioners and researchers. Research being sponsored by GYIBC members includes effectiveness of RB51 vaccine on bison and elk, correlation of serology and tissue culture results, migratory movements of park bison, and pathogenesis and epidemiology of brucellosis in bison. But, probably the most important accomplishment has been in the establishment of working relationships among managers and researchers of widely variant disciplines, instilling mutual understanding of organizational philosophies and visions, establishing the value of compromise (over acx ,; 8 Joly, Damien O.
Leighton, Frederick A.
Messier, Francois 1997b Tuberculosis and Brucellosis Infection of Bison in Wood Buffalo National Park: Preliminary Results 23-31H International Symposium on Bison Ecology and Management in North America Irby, Lynn R.
J. Knight Bozeman, MT Montana State University_ tuberculosis
brucellosis
wood buffalo national park
canada
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria June 4-7, 1997: The purpose of this paper is to present preliminary tuberculosis and brucellosis prevalence data for bison in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada. Bison were captured and tested as part of an ongoing investigation into the effects of these diseases on the population dynamics of bison. Tuberculosis infection was determined using the caudal fold and blood tuberculosis (BTb) tests. The BTb test is comprised of a lymphocyte transformation (LT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The complement fixation and buffered plate antigen tests were used to test for brucellosis. With parallel interpretation of the ELISA and caudal fold, tuberculosis prevalence was 51% (63/124). Six percent (7/124) of the bison met our criteria for suspicious tuberculosis status, and the remaining 44% (54/124) were negative in both tests. A disparity in overall tuberculosis prevalence indicated by the BTb (15%) and the caudal fold (45%) tests suggests that the BTb test is a less sensitive tool for diagnosis of tuberculosis infection in bison that the caudal fold test. According to our criteria for determining brucellosis status, 29% (37/127) were positive, 11% (14/127) were suspicious, and 60% (76/127) were negative. Prevalence levels increased with age for both brucellosis and tuberculosis. There was no significant difference in prevalence levels between the sexes for either disease. Our data indicate that brucellosis and tuberculosis have maintained enzootic infection levels in bison in Wood Buffalo National Park durin
;
? Knapp, Stuart E. 1997a Five-Year Review of Parasite Prevalence and Management in a Private Bison Herd, Southwest Montana 32-35H International Symposium on Bison Ecology and Management in North America Irby, Lynn R.
J. Knight Bozeman, MTJ bison
Montana
parasites
disease
widlife health
coccidia in bison
coccidia June 4-7, 1997q Over the past seven years, a large bison herd has been formed in southwest Montana. The presence of enteric parasites has been examined closely during this time, including one study on coccidia. The presence and management of Nematodirus sp., Dictyocaulus sp. and stomach worms such as Ostertagia sp. has also been studied. Groups of bison have been followed, and include a large (4000 head), free-ranging herd with calves, and a separate range generally held for yearlings. Fresh fecal samples were collected from the ground, after observing defecation so that samples could be labeled appropriately (e.g. cow, calf). To examine for nematode ova and coccidia, the double centrifugation-flotation technique was used. To examine for lungworm larvae, a modification of the Baermann's technique was used. Stomach worms and Nematodirus sp. have remained relatively constant, while large variations in coccidia oocyst counts have varied. Oocyst shedding has been prominent in young calves and in certain groups of yearling heifers and yearling bulls. Treatment of animals with Deccox-impregnated feed pellets has been successful in decreasing oocyst shedding. Studies have shown that ad lib treatment with fenbendazole as a feed additive is successful in reducing egg per gram (EPG) counts of both stomach worms and Nematodirus in yearling bison. Larvae per gram counts of lungworm were also eliminated or reduced after treatments. Prevalence of stomach worm ova in individual fecal samples was reduced after treatments. Prevalence of stomach worm ova in individual fecal samples was reduced an average of 59.4% and EPG counts were reduced an average of 65.1%. Prevalence of lungworm larvae was eliminated in all cases except one treatment where one larvae was found in one 5 g fecal sample. The average lungworm prevalence pre-treatment was 30.1%
c @; _ Rhyan, Jack C.
Aune, Keith
Roffe, Thomas J.
Ewalt, Darla R.
Gidlewski, Thomas
Philo, L. Michael 1997s Preliminary Results on Tissue Localization Sites of Brucella Abortus in Female Bison from Yellowstone National ParkH International Symposium on Bison Ecology and Management in North America Irby, Lynn R
J. Knight Bozeman, MT Montana State Universityv animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
brucella abortus
brucella
bacteria
brucellosis
disease
Yellowstone National Park June 4-7, 1997 The bison in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) have been infected with Brucella abortus since at least 1917. Basic knowledge of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of brucellosis in YNP bison is needed to develop workable strategies to minimize the risk of disease transmission to local livestock and to ultimately eliminate the infection from wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA). The purpose of this study is to determine the tissue localization sites of and lesions produced by B. abortus in female bison from YNP.
Between February 1995 and January 1997, specimens were collected from 26 seropositive adult female bison. Twenty-five of the animals were killed after leaving YNP and one animal was killed by YNP personnel because it had a retained placenta and was in close proximity to the northern border of YNP. Additionally, specimens were collected from a term fetus and placenta that were found near Gardiner, MT, in April of 1996. Cultures have been completed on 16 of the adult bison and on the fetus. Brucella abortus was isolated from 7 of the 16 adult animals. The most common culture positive tissues were the supramammary, retropharyngeal, and iliac lymph nodes. Brucella abortus was isolated from 15 specimens including the placenta and feces from the bison with the retained placenta. The organism was also located from 15 sites cultured from the term fetus and placenta found near Gardiner. Histologically, lesions from the fetus and both placentas were consistent with those produced by B. abortus in cattle, goats, and captive bison.
A group of yearling bison showed blood in their feces, and coccidiosis was investigated as a possible cause. Coccidia per gram feces counts were relatively# ; m F Rognlie, Matthew C.
Marley, Sara E.
Knapp, Stuart E.
Craigmill, Arthur 1997B Safety and Tissue Residues of Ivermectin Pour-on in American Bison 40-44H International Symposium on Bison Ecology and Management in North America Irby, Lynn R
Knight, James Bozeman, MT Montana State University` parasites
bison
Montana
nematodes
wildlife health
ostertagia ostertagi
ostertagiosis
vaccination June 4-7, 1997H A previous study defined the efficacy of ivermectin pour-on in American bison against the brown stomach worm, Ostertagia ostertagi. The anthelmintic was found to be 100% efficacious at 0.5 mg/kg bodyweight, the recommended bovine label dose. This experiment also represented the first experimental infection of bison with an internal parasite. For anthelmintic label approval for bison, the tissue residue depletion of the drug as well as animal safety were studied. Yearling bull bison were used for both studies. The safety of ivermectin pour-on was determined by giving 6 animals 5 times the label dose for 3 times the recommended duration (three consecutive days). Six animals were given identical amounts of placebo (carrier only). Daily observations were made for 14 days post-treatment, and no adverse reactions were recorded under several standard clinical areas (e.g. coordination, respiration) for either the antelmintic- or placebo-treated animals. Plasma profiles did not reveal significant differences (p<0.5) in individual parameters between controls and principals. Fourteen head were placed into four groups for the tissue residue depletion study. Two controls and three principles were euthanized each of Days 3, 5, and 7 post-treatment. Plasma samples were taken and analyzed, and 7 different tissue samples were collected from each animal. To date, liver tissue and plasma have been analyzed. The half life of ivermectin residue in both liver and plasma is similar to residue half life in bovines. Theref. \\;, W Paul C. Cross
William H. Edwards
Brandon M. Scurlock
Eric J. Maichak
Jared D. Rogerson 2007Y Effects of Management and Climate on Elk Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem 957-964 Ecological Applications 17 4 Brucella abortus
brucellosis
Cervus elaphus
disease management
elk
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
supplemental feeding
wildlife health
brucella
bacteria
June, 2007= Every winter, government agencies feed 6000 metric tons (6 × 106 kg) of hay to elk in the southern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) to limit transmission of Brucella abortus, the causative agent of brucellosis, from elk to cattle. Supplemental feeding, however, is likely to increase the transmission of brucellosis in elk, and may be affected by climatic factors, such as snowpack. We assessed these possibilities using snowpack and feeding data from 1952 to 2006 and disease testing data from 1993 to 2006. Brucellosis seroprevalence was strongly correlated with the timing of the feeding season. Longer feeding seasons were associated with higher seroprevalence, but elk population size and density had only minor effects. In other words, the duration of host aggregation and whether it coincided with peak transmission periods was more important than just the host population size. Accurate modeling of disease transmission depends upon incorporating information on how host contact rates fluctuate over time relative to peak transmission periods. We also found that supplemental feeding seasons lasted longer during years with deeper snowpack. Therefore, milder winters and/or management strategies that reduce the length of the feeding season may reduce the seroprevalence of brucellosis in the elk populations of the southern GYE. Found online, pdf on comp A
; N * Wywialowski, Alice P.
Gilsdorf, Michael J. 1997Y Historical Relationships among Brucellosis and Wildlife with Emphasis on Brucella abortus 45-54H International Symposium on Bison Ecology and Management in North America Irby, Lynn R.
Knight, J. Bozeman, MTS bacteria
bison
Brucellosis
brucella
brucella abortus
elk
livestock
wildlife health June 4-7, 1997 Brucella abortus is an infectious disease of cattle that is believed to have been introduced to American bison (Bison bison) by European livestock. Species of Brucella including B. abortus, B. melitensis, B. suis, and B. canis differ in their effects on wildlife populations. Brucellosis can be transmitted to other wildlife species. Historically, B. abortus was detected in numerous wildlife species including elk (Cervus elaphus), moose (Alces alces), white-tailed deer (Ococoileus virginianus, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), coyotes (Canis latrans), wolves (Canis lupus), bobcat (Felix rufus), raccoons (Procyon lotot), and skunk (Mephistis mephitis). Other Brucella sp. differ in the degree that they are transmitted and maintained in differing wildlife species.
Brucellosis can be transmitted to humans where it causes a variety of symptoms including fever and arthritis. Beginning in the 1930's a program was initiated to eliminate B. abortus in livestock to improve livestock health and prevent its transmission to humans. The incidence of B. abortus in wildlife changed as the disease was eliminated in livestock across the United States. The implications of B. abortus for the health of various species of wildlife will be discussed as they dl# 3;
4 Aguirre, A. Alonso
Hansen, Donald
Starkey, Edward E. 1993M Special Initiative Project: Animal Disease Issues in the National Park System 32| Pacific Northwest Region, National Park Service, Cooperative Park Studies Unit, College of Forestry, Oregon State University` disease
national parks
management
wildlife health
general wildlife health studies
animal studies
November 1993 A summary of important animal disease issues in or adjacent to units of the National Park Service, as identified through a literature review and a mail survey, is provided. The issues summarized include diseases of wild ungulates and carnivores, animal health programs, grazing allotments, use and regulation of pack animals and domestic pets, and zoonotic diseases. Summaries of information about important infectious diseases of wildlife in North America is also provided. A preliminary classification of diseases as "native" or "exotic" to North America based on historic, archaeological, and evolutionary evidence is presented. A brief assessment of the status of animal disease issues in the National Parks is discussed relative to seroepidemiologic surveys, translocation programs, and possible emerging diseases that may represent a threat to native wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. General management options are provided for initial, system-wide guidance at the national level. Special sections on bovine brucellosis and health, and an inventory of wildlife diseases in the United States are provided to complement other information presented i ~; m Tunnicliff, E. A.
Marsh, H. 1935` Bang's Disease in Bison and Elk in the Yellowstone National Park and on the National Bison Range 745-7526 Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 86 Bang's disease
elk (Cervus elaphus)
National Bison Range
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
bison (Bison bison)
blood
brucellosis
chemistry
disease
mammals
management
natural resource management
population
reproduction
wildlife health January 14, 1935. It has been known for some years that Bang's disease has occurred in the bison, more commonly known as buffalo, in the Yellowstone National Park and on the National Bison Range in western Montana. Mohler, in 1917, reported positive agglutination reactions in the blood of two buffalo cows which had aborted in the Yellowstone Park herd. In 1930, Creech reported the isolation of Brucella abortus form a diseased testicle of a buffalo killed on the National Bison Range. Rush, in 1930, obtained tests on serum samples from five buffalo in the Yellowstone National Park herd, with positive results in three cases
At this time, W.M. Rush, of the United States Forest Service, who was in charge of wild life studies in the Park, became interested in obtaining further information on the extent of Bang's disease in the buffalo. He requested the assistance of the Montana Veterinary Research Laboratory, w |; s + McCorquodale, Scott M.
DiGiacomo, Ronald F. 1985] The Role of Wild North American Ungulates in the Epidemiology of Bovine Brucellosis: A Review 351-357 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 21 4} bighorn sheep
Bison bison
moose
brucellosis
elk
deer
bison
pronghorns
brucella abortus
brucella
bacteria
disease
livestock Review October 1985H Published reports of Brucella abortus infections in wild North American ungulates and domestic cattle herds were reviewed to determine if infection in these species was related. Bison (Bison bison) were frequently found infected, but are probably a minor threat to livestock due to their current limited distribution. Most elk (Cervus elaphus) were free of infection except where their range was shared with infected bison or livestock. Deer (Odocoileus spp.), pronghorns (Antilocapra americana), moose (Alces alces), and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) appeared to be insignificant hosts of Brucella abortus. The lack of significant wild ungulate hosts and the distribution of infected livestock herds in the United States suggests ;0 , @ Hines, Alicia M.
Vanessa O. Ezenwaa
Paul Cross
Jared D. Rogerson 2007y Effects of supplemental feeding on gastrointestinal parasite infection in elk (Cervus elaphus): Preliminary observations 350-355 Veterinary Parasitology 148 3-4f disease
elk
feedgrounds
parasites
wildlife
wildlife health
strongylida
Trichuris spp.
eimeria in elk August 9, 2007 The effects of management practices on the spread and impact of parasites and infectious diseases in wildlife and domestic animals are of increasing concern worldwide, particularly in cases where management of wild species can influence disease spill-over into domestic animals. In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, USA, winter supplemental feeding of Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) may enhance parasite and disease transmission by aggregating elk on feedgrounds. In this study, we tested the effect of supplemental feeding on gastrointestinal parasite infection in elk by comparing fecal egg/oocyst counts of fed and unfed elk. We collected fecal samples from fed and unfed elk at feedground and control sites from January to April 2006, and screened all samples for parasites. Six different parasite types were identified, and 48.7% of samples were infected with at least one parasite. Gastrointenstinal (GI) nematodes (Nematoda: Strongylida), Trichuris spp., and coccidia were the most common parasites observed. For all three of these parasites, fecal egg/oocyst counts increased from January to April. Supplementally fed elk had significantly higher GI nematode egg counts than unfed elk in January and February, but significantly lower counts in April. These patterns suggest that supplemental feeding may both increase exposure and decrease susceptibility o
C ;7 7 Eric Wagner
Ronney Arndt
Mark Brough
Donald W. Roberts 2002^ Comparison of Susceptibility of Five Cutthroat Trout Strains to Myxobolus cerebralis Infection 84-91 Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 14W cutthroat trout
disease
infection
Myxobolus cerebralis
whirling disease
wildlife health 2002 Susceptibility to infection by the myxosporean parasite Myxobolus cerebralis was compared among strains of cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki in two separate exposure tests in the laboratory. In both tests, each strain was exposed to 1,000 triactinomyxons/fish for 2 h in 8.0 L of water. In the first test, three strains of 10-week-old cutthroat trout were compared: two strains of Bonneville cutthroat trout O. c. utah (Bear Lake and southern Bonneville strains) and Yellowstone cutthroat trout O. c. bouvieri. In the second test, these strains plus Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout O. c. subsp. and Colorado River cutthroat trout O. c. pleuriticus were exposed at either 5 or 10 weeks of age. The prevalence of the M. cerebralis infection was determined by single-round polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay 5 weeks after exposure. In the first test, the prevalence was significantly lower in the Bear Lake strain of Bonneville cutthroat trout (78.5%) than in the Yellowstone (97.8%) or southern Bonneville (100%) strains when exposed at 10 weeks of age. In the second test, the Bear Lake strain also had significantly lower infection rates after exposure at 5 (54%) or 10 weeks (82%) of age than the other four strains, which did not differ from each other (94–100%). The severity of the infection was also significantly reduced in Bear Lake Bonneville cutthroat trout, as suggested by the strength of the product of the single-round PCR assay. These results suggest that intraspecific differences in susceptibility to M. cerebralis infection exist, further supporting the need to maintain the genetic diversity among subspecies and geograph K;2 % Eric P. Bergersen
Dennis E. Anderson 1997H The Distribution and Spread of Myxobolus Cerebralis in the United States 6-7 Fisheries 22 8 American Fisheries Society@ fish
Myxobolus cerebralis
whirling disease
wildlife health
troutV Myxobolus cerebralis, the causative agent of salmonid whirling disease, was first found in the United States in Pennsylvania in 1956, and has since spread to most regions of the country having self-sustaining trout populations. By fall 1996, 21 states had reported the presence of M. cerebra D~; ! Meagher, Margaret Mary 1971h Snow as a Factor Influencing Bison Distribution and Numbers in Pelican Valley, Yellowstone National Park= Snow and Ice In Relation to Wildlife and Recreation Symposium! Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
climate
ecology
mammals
mortality
Pelican Valley
population
range
snow
snowfall
weather
wildlife health
winter
distribution
winter monitoring
population dynamics
behavior
habitat
history February 11-12, 1971. Bison which winter in Pelican Valley in the interior of Yellowstone Park are subject to more severe winter conditions than those elsewhere in the park. Snow conditions in this valley appear to be a major factor influencing the regulations of population levels, and determining distribution and use within the valley. The occurrence of severe winter conditions is partially offset by other habitat factors. The Pelican bison population, which has persisted through time in this wintering valley, is comparedo ; Rhyan, Jack C.
Aune, Keith
Ewalt, Darla R.
Marquardt, Janet
Mertins, James W.
Payeur, Janet B
Saari, Dennis A.
Schladweiler, Philip
Sheehan, Edward J.
Worley, David 1997J Survey of Free-Ranging Elk from Wyoming and Montana for Selected Pathogens 290-298 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 33 2r elk
wyoming
Montana
disease
Yellowstone National Park
tuberculosis
brucella abortus
brucellosis
brucella
bacteria survey
April 1997
From December 1991 through January 1995, a disease survey was conducted on herds of free-ranging, hunter-killed elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) from three areas in proximity to Yellowstone National Park (YNP), Wyoming (USA), after tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis was discovered in a captive herd of elk in the area. Complete or partial sets of specimens from 289 elk collected between December 1991 and January 1993 were examined histologically; no mycobacterial lesions were observed. Lesions of tuberculosis were not detected in tonsils or lymph nodes of the head from an additional 99 hunter-killed, adult elk form one area (area 2) collected in January 1995. Neither M. bovis nor M. paratuberculosis were isolated from any of the specimens cultured. Antibodies to Brucella abortus were detected in serum samples from 0%, 1%, and 1% of elk from three areas sampled (areas 1, 2, and 3), respectively. Brucella abortus biovar 1 was isolated from multiple tissues from one seropositive animal from area 3. Larvae with morphology consistent with Dictyocaulus sp. were found in 12%, 14%, and 0% of fecal specimens tested from areas 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Pasteurella multocida and Actinomyces pyogenes were isolated from a lung with purulent bronchopneumonia ; , Thorne, E. Tom
Smith, Scott
Reese, Arthur D. 1995Z Cattle, Elk, Bison, and Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Is There a Solution? 386-3898 Integrating People and Wildlife for a Sustainable Future# John A. Bissonette
Paul R. Krausman Wildlife SocietyL bison
brucellosis
cattle
elk
management
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria Brucellosis is an important cattle disease and the target of an eradication program in the United States. Elk (Cervus elaphus) and bison (Bison bison) are important wildlife resources of the Greater Yellowstone Area. But they harbor brucellosis and are, therefore, impediments to the eradication program, and sources of conflict with cattle. A task force appointed by Wyoming's governor recommended a tri-state interagency task force to address the brucellosis problem by attempting to eradicate it on wildlife rather than cattle terms. Idaho and Montana have agreed to participate and Federal agencies will be invited
$;) x Roffe, Thomas J.
Lee C. Jones
Kenneth Coffin
Mark L. Drew
Steven J. Sweeney
Susan D. Hagius
Philip H. Elzer
Donald Davis 2004N Efficacy of Single Calfhood Vaccination of Elk with Brucella abortus Strain 19 830-836" The Journal of Wildlife Management 68 4j Brucella abortus
brucellosis
calf
elk
eradicate
feedgrounds
vaccine
wildlife health
vaccination
strain 19
October, 2004
Brucellosis has been eradicated from cattle in the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, USA. However, free-ranging elk (Cervus elaphus) that use feedgrounds in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) and bison (Bison bison) in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks still have high seroprevalence to the disease and have caused loss of brucellosis-free status in Wyoming. Management tools to control or eliminate the disease are limited; however, wildlife vaccination is among the methods currently used by wildlife managers in Wyoming. We conducted a controlled challenge study of single calfhood vaccination. Elk calves, caught in January and February of 1999 and 2000 and acclimated to captivity for 3 weeks, were randomly assigned to control or vaccinate groups. The vaccinate groups received Brucella abortus vaccine strain 19 (S19) by hand delivered intramuscular injection. Calves were raised to adulthood and bred at either 2.5 or 3.5 years of age for 2000 and 1999 captures, respectively. Eighty-nine (44 controls, 45 vaccinates) pregnant elk entered the challenge portion of the study. We challenged elk at mid-gestation with pathogenic B. abortus strain 2308 by intraconjunctival instillation. Abortion occurred in significantly more (P= 0.002) controls (42; 93%) than vaccinates (32; 71%), and vaccine protected 25% of the vaccinate group. We used Brucella culture of fetus/calf tissues to determine the efficacy of vaccination for preventing infection, and we found that the number of infected fetuses/calves did not differ between controls and vaccinates (P = 0.14). Based on these data, single calfhood vaccination with S19 has low efficacy, will likely have only little to moderate effect on Brucella prevalence in elk, and is unlikely to eradicate the diseas' T;* 8 Schubert, D. J.
Crystal, Howard B.
Glitzenstein, Eric R. 1997 Urgent Need for Supplemental National Environmental Policy Act Review in Connection with the National Park Service's Participation in the Capture, Transport and Slaughter of Bison in Yellowstone National Park, Babbit, Bruce
Kennedy, Roger
Finley, Michael Meyer & Glitzensteinm bacteria
bison
Brucellosis
management
severe winter
wildlife health
brucella abortus
brucella January 21, 1997 On behalf of the Fund for Animals, [Meyer & Glitzenstein] is writing regarding the urgent need for the National Park Service ("NPS") to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA"), 42 U.S.C. [section] 4321 et seq, regarding the implementation this winter of the Interim Bison Management Plan ("IBMP"). Although an Environmental Assessment ("EA") was conducted concerning the IBMP, this EA did not consider either the extreme severity of conditions this winter or the enormous number of bison which have been and continue to be killed -- a number which, as Superintendent Finley has explained he is "painfully aware," is "fast approaching the maximum 569 bison ever killed as a result of state and federal management of the Yellowstone bison population" Letter of Jan. 17, 1997 (attachment 1). Indeed, so many bison are being killed that, according to the NPS's own bison expert, Dr. Mary Meagher: "A population crash appears likely, and the system itself that supports bison may be collapsing." Mary Meagher, unpublished data (Jan. 6, 1997) at 2. (attachment 2). Moreover, we understand that bison are currently being killed in a manner inconsistent with the IBMP. Consequently, supplemental analysis under NEPA is plainly required by NEPA's implementing regulations, 40 C.F.R. [section] 1502.9(c)(1), and thus the NPS should immediately suspend 1 9l ; Boyce, Mark S. 1991, Natural Regulation or the Control of Nature? 183-208K The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: Redefining America's Wilderness Heritage Keiter, Robert B.
Boyce, Mark S. New Haven Yale University Press ecosystems
wildlife health
management
bison
ecology
Greater Yellowstone Area
elk
natural regulation
bears
general wildlife health studies Since Yellowstone National Park was established, wildlife has been a management priority throughout the Yellowstone area. It also has been a source of disunity and controversy. During the park's first eleven years, hunting was allowed and even encouraged (Haines 1977; McNaughton 1989). For thirty-three years (1934-1967), the official policy was that removals of elk (Cervus elaphus) from the northern range were necessary to keep the population within the carrying capacity of the vegetation. Bison (Bison bison) numbers also were regulated on the northern range. National Park Service officials believed that the control of nature was necessary. Beginning in the late 1960s, however, the Park Service adopted trial guidelines for "hands-off" or natural regulation of wildlife in Yellowstone National Park, which means that populations are permitted to fluctuate without human intervention within the park (Cole 1969, 1971; Houston 1982; Despai ;
Locker, Betty 1953) Parasites of Bison in Northwestern U.S.A. 396-397 Journal of Parasitology 39 1T bison
national bison range
parasites
wildlife health
general wildlife health studies
February 1953 During the winter of 1951-1952, herd reductions were carried out at the National Bison Range in Moiese, Montana, and at the Yellowstone National Park Bison Ranch in Wyoming. Facilities were available at both places for satisfactory parasitological investigations of the bison as they were butchered. The specimens collected at Moiese are listed in Table 1; these data are more truly representative of the species present than of their numerical incidence.
The entire article is spent describing the specific cases of each parasite found. 277Y http://li ;! b Johnson, Mark R. 1992m The Disease Ecology of Brucellosis and Tuberculosis in Potential Relationship to Yellowstone Wolf Populations 71-92_ Wolves for Yellowstone? A Report to the United States Congress Volume IV Research and AnalysisB Varley, John D.
Brewster, Wayne
Broadbent, Sarah E.
Evanoff, Renee Yellowstone National Park, WY National Park Service 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 ungu j l;/ C Murcia, Silvia
Kerans, Billie L.
Elizabeth MacConnell
Todd M. Koel 2006] Myxobolus cerebralis infection patterns in Yellowstone cutthroat trout after natural exposure 191-199 Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 71 3V cutthroat trout
decline
exposure
Myxobolus cerebralis
whirling disease
wildlife health August 30, 2006 Salmonid species and sub-species exhibit a range of susceptibility to Myxobolus cerebralis infection. Little is known about lesion severity and location, or time required for M. cerebralis myxospores to develop in Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri. In 2002 we performed three 10 d exposures of Yellowstone cutthroat trout fry in Pelican Creek, an M. cerebralis-positive tributary to Yellowstone Lake. At 90 and 150 d post-exposure we examined the fish for clinical signs, for infection prevalence, and by histology to determine M. cerebralis infection location and severity of lesions. The most prevalent clinical signs in Yellowstone cutthroat were whirling behavior and skeletal deformities, especially at 90 d post-exposure. Prevalence of infection and severity of cartilage lesions were not statistically different between fish held for 90 or 150 d post-exposure. Histopathology was most severe in cartilage of the cranium and the lower jaw, whereas cartilage of the nares and gill arches was seldom damaged. This study suggests that Yellowstone cutthroat trout are highly vulnerable to M. cerebralis and that current population declines in the Yellowstone Lake basin may, in part, result from whirling disease. Our results answer important questions in fish health and will aid in the development of diagnostic tools and management efforts against this pathogen in native cutthroat trout and other vulnerable salmonids. Found abstract online, cSw ;# 0 Peterson, Markus J.
Grant, William E.
Davis, Don 1991 Simulation of host-parasite interactions within a resource management framework: Impact of brucellosis on bison population dynamics 299-320 Ecological Modelling 54 3-4 animal studies
animals
bison (Bos bison)
brucellosis
Brucella abortus
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
mammals
management
modeling
natural resource management
parasites
population dynamics
ungulates
wildlife health
brucella
bacteria 1991- We describe development of a simulation model representing bison (host)-brucellosis (parasite) interactions within a natural resource management framework. We document three phases in model development which focus on the simulation of bison population dynamics in (1) a brucellosis-free herd, (2) a brucellosis-infected herd, and (3) an infected herd subjected to different vaccination schemes. The model accurately simulated historical changes in herd size, annual recruitment, population age structure, and survivorship of individual cohorts over a 17-year period in a brucellosis-free bison herd on the National Bison Range, U.S.A. (Phase I). The model also accurately simulated historical changes in herd size, and predicted the most likely year of infection, in a bison herd in Grand Teton National Park, U.S.A., that contracted the disease during a 20-year period (Phase II). Finally, the model was used ~;$ a Taylor, Sharon K.
Lane, V. Michael
Hunter, David L.
Eyre, Kendal G.
Kaufman, Sandra
Frye, Stephen 1997H Serologic Survey for Infectious Pathogens in Free-ranging American Bison 308-311 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 33 2 Wildlife Disease Association bison
pathogenesis
serology
Anaplasma marginale
animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
bluetongue virus
bovine herpesvirus
bovine leukemia virus
bovine respiratory syncytial virus
bovine viral diarrhea
Campylobacter fetus
disease
Leptospira interrogans australis
Leptospira interrogans autumnalis
Leptospira interrogans bratislava
Leptospira interrogans hardjo
Leptospira interrogans icterohaemorrhagine
parainfluenza 3 virus
parasites
wildlife health
April 1997 From November 1991 through March 1992, we evaluated 101 free-ranging American bison (Bison bison) from Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (USA) for exposure to infectious organisms that commonly infect cattle. No titers were detected for bluetongue virus, bovine leukemia virus, or Campylobacter fetus in these 101 bison. Detectable antibodies occurred against Anaplasma marginale (eight of 76, 11%), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (31 of 101, 31%), bovine viral diarrhea (31 of 101, 31%), bovine herpesvirus 1 (29 of 76, 38%), Leptospira interrogans icterohaemo ;% ' Q Taylor, Sharon K.
Ward, Alton C. S.
Hunter, David L.
Gunther, Kerry
Kortge, Lloyd 1996L Isolation of Pasteurella spp. From Free-ranging American Bison (Bison bison) 322-325 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 33 2 Wildlife Disease Association pasteurella
bison (Bison bison)
Yellowstone National Park
animal studies
bacteria
parasites
Pasteurella haemolytica
Pasteurella multocida
Pasteurella spp.
wildlife health
April 1996 From November 1991 through March 1992, nasal and pharyngeal swab samples were collected from 45 bison (Bison bison) from Yellowstone National Park, Montana (USA) and cultured for Pasteurella spp. Thirteen isolates of Pasteurella spp. were recovered from 10 (22%) of the animals. Ten isolates were from pharyngeal samples in contrast to three isolates from nasal samples. Pasteurella haemolytica (six biotype T, two biotype A, and two biotype 3) was the predominant Pasteurella species. Five biotype T isolates were serotype 4 and the sixth agglutinated in antisera 3, 4, and 10. Both biotype A isolates were untypable with antisera to recognized type strains. Pasteurella multocida was isolated from the pharyngeal samples of one animal. Two isolates could b;- Foos, K. Michael 1997I Pilobolus and lungworm disease affecting elk in Yellowstone National Park 1535-1536 Mycological Research 101 12 Cambridge University Press animal studies
bacteria
Dictyocaulus viviparus
disease
elk
Cervus elaphus
fecal bacteria
fungi
larvae
lungworm
mammals
pellets (fecal)
Pilobolus spp.
population
wildlife health December, 19975 Dictyocaulus viviparus and Pilobolus coexist in individual elk of the Yellowstone National Park's northern herd. It is suggested that Pilobolus transfers infective larvae to forage grasses, so spreading the lungworm disease.
The sporangial discharge mechanism of Pilobolus serves to transfer Dictyocaulus viviparus infective larvae from faecal pats to fresh herbage where they may be ingested by susceptible animals causing lungworm disease in cattle (Robinson, 1962). It has been hypothesized that the same mechanism is responsible for spreading this disease among elk. For example, we have known for many years that lungworm disease is endemic in Yellowstone National Park's northern elk her
' 8;. 0 Shannon M. Barber-Meyer
P.J. White
L. David Mech 2007r Survey of Selected Pathogens and Blood Parameters of Northern Yellowstone Elk: Wolf Sanitation Effect Implications 369-381 The American Midland Naturalist 158 2{ Brucella abortus
elk
wildlife health
wolves
viruses
bovine respiratory syncytial virus
bovine viral diarrhea
seroprevalence
October, 2007 The restoration or conservation of predators could reduce seroprevalences of certain diseases in prey if predation selectively removes animals exhibiting clinical signs. We assessed disease seroprevalences and blood parameters of 115 adult female elk (Cervus elaphus) wintering on the northern range of Yellowstone National Park [YNP] during 2000-2005 and compared them to data collected prior to wolf (Canis lupus) restoration (WR) in 1995 and to two other herds in Montana to assess this prediction. Blood parameters were generally within two standard deviations of the means observed in other Montana herds (Gravelly-Snowcrest [GS] and Garnet Mountain [GM]), but Yellowstone elk had higher seroprevalences of parainfluenza-3 virus (95% CI YNP = 61.1-78.6, GS = 30.3-46.5) and bovine-virus-diarrhea virus type 1 (95% CI YNP = 15.9-31.9, GM = 0). In comparisons between pre-wolf restoration [pre-WR] (i.e., prior to 1995) seroprevalences with those post-wolf restoration [post-WR] in Yellowstone, we found lower seroprevalences for some disease-causing agents post-wolf restoration (e.g., bovine-virus-diarrhea virus type-1 [95% CI pre-WR = 73.1-86.3, post-WR = 15.9-31.9] and bovine-respiratory syncytial virus [95% CI pre-WR = 70.0-83.8, post-WR = 0]), but similar (e.g., Brucella abortus [95% CI pre-WR = 0-4.45, post-WR = 0-4.74] and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus [95% CI pre-WR = 0, post-WR = 0]) or higher for others (e.g., Anaplasma marginale [95% CI pre-WR = 0, post-WR = 18.5-38.7] and Leptospira spp. [95% CI pre-WR = 0.5-6.5, post-WR = 9.5-23.5]). Though we did not detect an overall strong predation effect through reduced disease seroprevalence using retO# -D~;' APHIS 1993= Brucellosis-Infected Wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Area 1-7 Agriculturej Policy and Program Development, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture brucellosis
Greater Yellowstone Area
wildlife
infection
Yellowstone National Park
elk
bison
management
brucella abortus
cattle
eradication
bacteria
wildlife health| How can the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Department of Interior, National Park Service, provide leadership in resolving the problem of brucellosis in wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Area? What steps are needed in order to move toward the goal of eradicating brucellosis from bison and elk in the Greater Yellowstone Area? 318 Found in Biso f;( , % Franson, J. Christian
Smith, Bruce L. 1988c Septicemic Pasteurellosis in Elk (Cervus elaphus) on the United States National Elk Refuge, Wyoming 715-717 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 24 4v animal studies
Cervus elaphus
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
wildlife health
disease
elk
elk refuge
Wyoming
pasteurella 1988 Septicemic pasteurellosis caused by Pasteurella multocida is believed responsible for the deaths of 48 elk (Cervus elaphus) on the National Elk Refuge near Jackson, Wyoming (USA) during 1986 and 1987. Clinical signs included depression and salivation; necropsy findings included congestion and petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages in lymph nodes, diaphragm, lungs and endocardium. Pasteurella multocida was isolated from femur marrow of eight carcasses and a variety of tissues from eight others. 3244 http://www.jwild
\;E
o USFWS/NPS 2007 Summary of the Final Bison and Elk Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement: National Elk Refuge, Grand Teton National Park 245 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Servicet bison
brucellosis
elk
environmental impact statement
management
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
January, 2007 The Jackson elk and bison herds comprise one of the largest concentrations of elk and bison in North America, with an estimated 13,000 elk and about 1,000 bison. The elk migrate across several jurisdictional boundaries in northwestern Wyoming, including the National Elk Refuge, which is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway which are managed by the National Park Service (NPS). Ranges also extend into Yellowstone National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) resource areas, and state and private lands.
The bison range largely within Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge, with some crossing into Bridger-Teton National Forest and onto state and private lands in the Jackson Hole area.
Both species contribute significantly to the ecology of the southern greater Yellowstone ecosystem because of their large numbers, wide distribution, effects on vegetation, and their importance to the area's predators and scavengers.
The Final Bison and Elk Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement identifies and evaluates six alternative approaches, including a preferred alternative, for managing bison and elk on the National Elk Refuge and in Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway for a 15-year period. The alternatives are a result of extensive public input and working closely with several cooperative agencies and partners. These agencies include
-the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), which manages resident wildlife species throughout most of the state
-the U.S. Forest Service, which administers Bridger-Teton National Forest
-the Bureau of Land Management, which administers BLM resource areas in Jackson Hole
-the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is in part responsible for preventing the introduction and spread of significant livestock diseases
Extensive opportunities for input were al ;< * Lowell A. Miller
Rhyan, Jack C.
Drew, Mark 2004k Contraception of Bison by GnRH Vaccine: A Possible Means of Decreasing Transmission of Brucellosis in Bison 725-730 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 40 4 transmission
brucellosis
risk
vaccination
bison
immunocontraception
GnRH vaccine
gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccine
vaccine October 2004 Preventing pregnancy in brucellosis-infected bison (Bison bison) provides a potential means of preventing transmission of disease. To determine whether a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine was effective in reducing pregnancy in bison and to study the safety of injecting GnRH in pregnant bison, a study was conducted at the Idaho Fish and Game Wildlife Health Laboratory in Caldwell, Idaho (USA). Four pregnant and two nonpregnant female bison were given a single injection of GnRH vaccine, and five pregnant adult females were given a sham injection that contained only adjuvant. Three of the GnRH-vaccinated bison that were pregnant at the time of vaccination delivered healthy calves. One treated bison had dystocia that resulted in a dead calf. All control bison delivered healthy calves. After calving, females of both groups were exposed to two bulls. Treated bison were palpated 6 wk after exposure to the bulls, and blood was drawn for pregnancy-specific protein B analysis. The six treated bison were not pregnant. The sham-treated bison became pregnant and delivered viable calves. This study demonstrates that a single dose of GnRH vaccine is effective in preventing pregnancy in female bison for at " ;= q Li, Hong
Gailbreath, Katherine
Flach, Edmund J.
Taus, Naomi S.
Cooley, Jim
Keller, Janice
Russell, George C.
Knowles, Donald P.
Haig, David M.
Oaks, J. Lindsay
Traul, Donald L.
Crawford, Timothy B. 2005/ A Novel Subgroup of Rhadinoviruses in Ruminants 3021-3026 Journal of General Virology 86 virology
disease
wildlife
genetics
rhadinoviruses
ruminants
malignant catarrhal fever (MCF)
bovine lymphotrophic herpesvirus
bovine herpesvirus9 In the course of investigating the malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) subgroup of rhadinoviruses, seven novel rhadinoviruses were identified in a variety of ruminants, including domestic sheep, bighorn sheep, bison, black-tailed deer, mule deer, fallow deer, elk and addax. Based on the DNA polymerase gene sequences, these newly recognized viruses clustered into a second distinct subgroup in ruminants with three members identified previously in cattle, goats and oryx. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the currently known ruminant rhadinoviruses appear to comprise three distinct genetic lineages: (i) the MCF subgroup, defined by sequence identity and the presence of the 15A antigenic epitope; (ii) a second distinct subgroup, devoid of the 15A epitope, which contains the previously reported bovine lymphotropic herpesvirus and related viruses; and (iii) a third distinct subgroup represented by Bovine herpesvirus 4. Comparison of phylogenetic trees between the rhadinoviruses and their corresponding hosts further supports the gammaherpesvirus and host co-evolution theory.5 http://vir.sgmjou
M h;> f X Kreeger, Terry J.
Miller, Michael W.
Wild, Margaret A.
Elzer, Philip H.
Olsen, Steven C. 2000S Safety and Efficacy of Brucella abortus Strain RB51 Vaccine in Captive Pregnant Elk 477-483 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 36 3j strain RB51
vaccination
Nontarget species
elk
safety
brucella
brucella abortus
brucellosis
wildlife health July 2000 Brucella abortus strain RB51 is a laboratory-derived rough mutant of virulent B. abortus strain 2308 used as a vaccine because it induces antibodies that do not react on standard brucellosis serologic tests. Strain RB51 vaccine was evaluated in pregnant captive elk (Cervus elaphus) to determine (1) if it induced abortion and (2) if it protected against abortion following subsequent challenge. The time period of this study (February-June, 1998) was similar to field conditions where elk are vaccinated and possibly exposed to B. abortus. Fourteen elk were randomly and equally divided into vaccinated and control groups. The vaccinated group was vaccinated intramuscularly with 1.03 x 10(10) colony-forming units (CFU) of strain RB51 and seroconverted postvaccination. Antibodies to strain RB51 were detected by a modification of an existing dot-blot assay. Both groups were challenged 40 days postvaccination with 9.8 x 10(6) CFU of B. abortus strain 2308 administered intraconjunctivally. The first abortion occurred 38 days postchallenge. Abortion occurred in all control elk and in five of seven vaccinated elk 5 to 12 wk postchallenge (P = 0.23). Mixed strain RB51 and 2308 infections were present in fetuses and vaginas from the vaccinated group whereas only strain 2308 was cultured from control group fetuses and vaginal swabs. Further evaluation of strain RB51 will be necessary to determine if it will be safe and efficacious in free-ranging pregnant elk. 4 http://www.jwildlifedis.o
<
(;? m Q Jorgenson, Jon T.
Festa-Bianchet, Marco
Gaillard, Jean-Michel
Wishart, William D. 1997F Effects of Age, Sex, Disease, and Density on Survival of Bighorn Sheep 1019-1032 Ecology 78 4l sex ratio
population dynamics
disease
survival
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
general wildlife health studies
June, 1997O Longitudinal studies of survival are valuable because age-specific survival affects population dynamics and the evolution of several life history traits. We used capture–mark–recapture models to assess the relationship between survival and sex, age, population, year of study, disease, winter weather, and population density in two populations of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in Alberta, Canada. The Ram Mountain population, monitored for 20 yr, more than doubled in density; the Sheep River population, monitored for 13 yr, experienced a pneumonia epizootic. Yearling survival varied among years and was lower than that of older sheep of the same sex, except for yearling males at Ram Mountain. Yearling females at Ram Mountain were the only sex-age class exhibiting density dependence in survival. Senescence was evident for both sexes in both populations. Female survival from age 2 to age 7 was very high in both populations, but males aged 2 and 3 yr enjoyed better survival than males aged 4–6 yr. Our data support the suggestion that where hunters remove many males older than 5 yr of age, the natural mortality of males increases at 3–5 yr, possibly because young males suffer a mortality cost of participating in rutting activity. The decline in survival for sheep older than 7 yr was greater for males than for females. Survival was lower for males than for females, both among prime-aged sheep (0.896 vs. 0.939 at Sheep River; 0.837 vs. 0.945 at Ram Mountain) and among older sheep (0.777 vs. 0.859 at Sheep River; 0.624 vs. 0.850 at Ram Mountain), but not among yearlings. Survival of sheep aged 2–7 yr was not significantly different between the two populations. Winter weather did not affect survival. Survival of sheep 2 yr of age and older did not vary significantly between years, except at Sheep River where survival of prime-aged sheep of both sexes was lower in the year of the pneumonia epizootic. Studies of survival of mountain sheep based upon skull collections may have overestimated survival of young rams. Our results underline the need for accurate information on age-specific E 0refuge’s management. ? http://environment.yale.edu/documents/downl grouped into 4 major ' V(;@ 4 Cook, Walter E.
Williams, Elizabeth S.
Thorne, E. Tom
Kreeger, Terry J.
Stout, Glenn W.
Schurig, Gerhardt
Colby, Lesley A.
Enright, F. M.
Elzer, Philip H. 20002 Safety of Brucella abortus Strain RB51 in Bull Elk 484-488 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 36 3 animal studies
brucellosis
elk
Cervus elaphus
vaccination
wildlife health
nontarget species
strain RB51
brucella abortus
safety
bacteria July 2000< Some of the elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) of the Greater Yellowstone Area (Wyoming, Idaho, Montana; USA) are infected with Brucella abortus, the bacterium that causes bovine brucellosis. Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccine is being considered as a means to control B. abortus induced abortions in cow elk. However, the most probable vaccination strategies for use in free-ranging elk might also result in some bull elk being inoculated, thus, it is important to insure that the vaccine is safe in these animals. In the winter of 1995, 10 free-ranging bull elk calves were captured, tested for B. abortus antibodies, and intramuscularly inoculated with 1.0 x 10(9) colony forming units (CFU) of B. abortus strain RB51. Blood was collected for hemoculture and serology every 2 wk after inoculation for 14 wk. Beginning 4 mo postinoculation and continuing until 10 mo postinoculation elk were serially euthanized, necropsied, and tissues collected for culture and histopathology. These elk cleared the organism from the blood within 6 wk and from all tissues within 10 mo. No lesions attributable to B. abortus were found grossly and only minimal to mild lymphoplasmacytic epididymitis was found in a few elk on histologic examination. In a separate study, six adult bull elk from Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota, USA) were taken to a ranch near Carrington (North Dakota, USA). Three were orally inoculated with approximately 1.0 x 10(10) CFU of RB51 and three were inoculated with corn syrup and saline. Ninety days post-inoculation semen was examined and cultured from these bulls. Strain RB51 was not cultured from their semen at that time. There were no palpable abnormalities in the genital tract and all elk produced viable sperm. Although they contain small sample sizes, these studies suggest that B. abortus strain RB51 is safe in bull elk. T<;A P
Cole, Glen F. 1975O Population Regulation and the Consequences of Artificially Feeding Wild Animals 2 June 1975 Information Paper No. 27 NPS# animal studies
behavior
climate
distribution
ecology
elevation
elk
feeding
food
habitat
hunting
mammals
management
migration
natural resource management
policies
population
range
regulations
vegetation
weather
wildlife health
winter
feedgrounds
wildlife
miscellaneous disease
health issues This information paper discusses the issue of artificially feeding wild animals to supplement natural vegetation in winter months when food may be scarce. The author writes about the negative impact this can have on wild
T ;B 3 Colby, Lesley A.
Schurig, Gerhardt
Elzer, Philip H. 2002 An Indirect ELISA to Detect the Serologic Response of Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) Inoculated with Brucella abortus Strain RB51 752-759 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 38 4 The Wildlife Disease Associationa elk
serology
vaccination
ELISA
strain RB51
Brucella abortus
ballistic inoculation
wildlife health October 2002% An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to identify elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) with Brucella abortus strain RB51 (RB51)-specific antibodies using a mouse monoclonal antibody specific for bovine IgG1. This test was relatively easy to perform, accurate, and easily reproducible; therefore it could be standardized for use between laboratories. In addition, we attempted to compensate for inherent variabilities encountered when comparing ELISA readings from multiple samples taken from many animals over time. Optical density (OD) readings for each sample were converted into a percent positivity value for analysis. A negative cutoff value was determined above which a sample was considered to have a significantly elevated anti-RB51 antibody level. Pre- and postvaccination sera from 64 6-8 mo old elk, divided into four groups (females subcutaneously inoculated with saline (control animals), females ballistically inoculated with RB51, females subcutaneously inoculated with RB51, and males subcutaneously inoculated with RB51) were used. All serum samples were collected between 27 April and 15 November 1995. Values for all saline controls were appropriately below the negative cutoff value. All subcutaneously and ballistically inoculated elk were serologically positive to RB51 for at least two sampling periods during the study. The difference in percent positivity values for the ballistically compared to the subcutaneously inoculated groups was not statistically significant at 8, 10, 14, or 18 wk postvaccination. This suggests that processing RB51 into lactose based pellets and ballistically inoculating elk with these pellets does not alter the detectable elk antibody response. Also, inoculated and control animals can be accurately identified with ELISA at 4-8 weeks postvaccination. Found online, pdf on computer0 http://www.jwildA
9;C # Boyd, Delaney P.
Gates, C. Cormack 2006= A Brief Review of the Status of Plains Bison in North America 15-20 Journal of the West 45 2@ bison
management
wildlife health
general wildlife health studies Spring 2006 In the United States, numerous bills to protect bison were introduced by members of Congress between 1871 and 1876, but no laws were enacted (Ogilvie 1979; Dary 1989; Danz 1997). Several state and territorial governments were able to enact legislation to protect bison during the last three decades of the 1800s; however, these laws were largely ineffective and unenforceable (Danz 1997). In 1872, President Grant created Yellowstone National Park (YNP) to protect all natural resources, including bison, within its borders. By 1894, however, poaching had reduced the park bison population from 200 to only 25 animals (Danz 1997). On May 7, 1894, President Cleveland signed the National Park Protective Act (Lacey Act), ameliorating the longstanding problem with jurisdiction and law enforcement in YNP. This was the first U.S. federal law to provide specific protection for bison. It carried a two-year jail term and a $1,000 fine for anyone removing mineral deposits, cutting timber, or killing game in YNP (Dary 1989; Danz 1997). In Canada, official protection of bison began in 1877 with the passing of An Ordinance for the Protection of Buffalo (Ogilvie 1979; Gates et al. 2001). This act was nearly impossible to enforce by the small regiments of Northwest Mounted Police scattered across the plains, and was later repealed (MacEwan 1995). In 1883, the Ordinance for the Protection of Game was passed, but it was also ineffective (Ogilvie 1979). The government of the Dominion of Canada enacted the Unorganized Territories Game Preservation Act in 1894, in part as a response to reports that the wood bison (B. b. athabascae) population in northern Canada had declined to 250 (Ogilvie 1979). Enforcement of this legislation was minimal, however, until the Northwest Mounted Police was given an enforcement mandate in 1897 (Soper 1941). Despite protective legislation, prior to 1907 plains bison in Canada were reduced to a small herd in Rocky Mountains Park (Banff) and a few animals near Winnipeg (Ogilvie 1979). In 1907, the Dominion of Canada purchased the entire Pablo-Allard herd (approximately 716 plains bison) from Michel Pablo of Montana. Four hundred and ten of these bison were temporarily held at Elk Island National Park (EINP) near Edmonton, Alberta until most were transported to Wainwright Buffalo Park in east-central Alberta; forty-eight bison were left at EINP, forming the nucleus of that national park herd (Coder 1975; Fuller 2002). The Pablo-Allard bison were subsequently used to establish herds in other Canadian national parks. Founded in 1905, the American Bison Society pressed Congress to establish several public bison herds including Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, the National Bison Range, Sullys Hill National Game Preserve, and Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge (Coder 1975). National parks in both the United States and Canada were also established in part to conserve bison and other large mammal populations (Ogilvie 1979). D http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/
^ U;q 4 Cook, Walter E.
Williams, Elizabeth
Dubay, Shelli A. 20047 Disappearance of Bovine Fetuses in Northwestern Wyoming 254-259 Wildlife Society Bulletin 32 1 Allen PressV bison
brucellosis
elk
feedgrounds
wildlife health
brucella
bacteria
brucella abortus Spring, 2004 Brucellosis is a bacterial disease of cattle that has become established in elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and bison (Bos bison) of the Greater Yellowstone Area. It causes pregnant elk and bison to abort, and the aborted fetus has the potential to transmit the pathogen to disease-free domestic cattle. We examined how long healthy bovine fetuses, as surrogates for aborted bison or elk fetuses, remained in the environment and could be available for contact by elk, bison, and cattle. Disease-free bovine fetuses were placed on Wyoming's National Elk Refuge, state of Wyoming elk feedgrounds, and Grand Teton National Park to simulate aborted elk or bison fetuses. We monitored the fetuses until they disappeared due to scavenging. Fetuses disappeared on average in 26.8 hours (SD =25.3 hours) from the National Elk Refuge, 40.7 hours (SD=31 .I hours) at state elk feedgrounds, and 57.5 hours (SD=48.0 hours) at Grand Teton National Park. Ninety percent of fetuses can be expected to disappear from the National Elk Refuge within 69.5 hours (2.9 days), from state elk feedgrounds within 68.5 hours (2.9 days), and from Grand Teton National Park within 142 hours (5.9 days). The dominant scavengers at all locations were coyotes (Canis latrans), but ravens (Corvus corax), magpies (Pica pica), bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), black bears (Ursus americanus), grizzly bears (U. arctos), and probably elk and bison also participated in scavenging.Z http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0091-7648%282x? MԀ;D % 4 Billman, Hillary
Wallen, Richard L.
Treanor, John J. 2004g Synthesis & Summary of Literature Pertaining to the Yellowstone National Park Bison Vaccination Program 13# Bison Ecology and Management Office- bison
brucellosis
vaccination
wildlife health Literature Review Disease is a natural part of ecological systems and has occurred in wildlife species since the Paleozooic era. The evolution of cervids and bovids during the Miocene has led to the belief that these hosts coevolved with parasites; host and disease/parasite evolve together in ways that reflect the other’s evolution (Aguirre & Starkey 1994). While disease is generally believed to rigorously regulate population size, studies have shown that endemic, or natural, diseases merely exist within the population and do not always negatively affect a wildlife population; this has been demonstrated with canine parvovirus in wolves (Canis lupus) (Schubert et al. 1998). Exotic diseases, however, have the potential to erupt quickly within a population and negatively affect natural behavior and functions. Exotic diseases are considered a threat to populations, and the very survival of native populations often times necessitates human intervention (Aguirre & Starkey 1994).
The National Park Service (NPS) has historically stood firm on the presence of exotic disease (exotic plants and species as well) within national parks. An advisory board appointed by Secretary Udall in 1963 outlined the purpose and policies of National Park Service management. Among the statements made about management in the national parks was the charge that exotic species should be discouraged ecologically so their presence among natural wildlife is negligible (Leopold 1963). The 1988 and 2001 (revised version) Management Policies Act restates the above sentiments. Chapter 4 of this act addresses natural resource management and defines native and exotic species. Native species are defined as “ all species that have occurred…as a result of natural processes on lands of the …national park system;” exotic species are defined as “species that…occupy park lands…as the result of deliberate or accidental human activities” (Congress 2001). The Management Policy Act (2001) further stipulates that, unless valuable to the park system in some way, exotic species must be managed intensively.
Perhaps the most controversial disease currently affecting wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) is brucellosis (Brucella abortus). Brucellosis is considered an exotic disease and was introduced to the Americas in the 16th Century by infected Spanish cattle (Aguirre & Starkey 1994). The disease manifests itself in the birthing related processes of infected individuals, and is shed through reproductive and abortive tissues and other discharges associated with birthing events; transmission of the disease occurs through ingestion of this infected material (National Park Service 2001). Although there have been no reported cases of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) bison transmitting brucellosis to cattle outside the park, it is believed that there is a seroprevalence rate in bison of between 40% and 50% (YNP’s Bison Ecology and Management Office unpublished data).
Brucellosis can have far-reaching economic impacts on Montana’s cattle industry. On a local farm level, brucellosis-infected cattle may abort calves, give birth to calves that are weak or in poor condition, and necessitate the diversion of financial resources to culling or vaccinating; at the state level, brucellosis infection in a single herd can result in withdrawal of the entire state’s “brucellosis-free status” (National Park Service 2001). This can have significant implications for a state economically because it halts the shipment of cattle across state lines (National Park Service 2001). Special management areas have been created that act as a buffer zone between the park and privately owned lands and the timing of land use bordering YNP is coordinated to reduce the risk of brucellosis transmission from bison to cattle. YNP’s Bison Ecology and Management Office (BEMO) is tasked with the responsibility of reducing the risk of transmission of brucellosis from bison to cattle (National Park Service 2001).
Brucellosis is considered an exotic disease and this designation requires management action by the NPS (National Park Service 2001). The NPS, however, is also required to make use of the best science when making management decisions (Leopold 1963; Congress 1998). In order to develop the most effective and scientifically sound method of reducing the risk of brucellosis transmission, disease transmission models, experiments involving brucellosis in other bison herds, and the ecology of Yellowstone bison were carefully considered. Dobson and Meagher (1996) outlined the dynamics of Yellowstone bison with respect to brucellosis prevalence, and reported that eradication of the disease would occur only as a result of “unacceptably high levels of culling.” Studies conducted in Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada revealed the opposite; the results of these trials indicated that brucellosis was not density-dependant, as Dobson and Meagher believed, and that brucellosis could still exist even in small bison herds (Joly & Messier 2004). In deciding a final course of action, these models, the cultural value, and the ecology of the Yellowstone bison were seminal. Bison in Yellowstone have the highest levels of genetic heterozygosity and have not been previously mixed with domestic cattle (Halbert et al. 2004). The choice of management action should affect these characteristics as little as possible. Vaccination is believed to be the best way in which both the risk of transmission and preserving the integrity of Yellowstone bison can be accomplished. The intent of this review is to present a synthesis of literature that is pertinent to the BEMO vaccination program and to apply this synthesis to the future of the vaccination program. , Found in Bison Library, document on computerM File:\\O:\Library\PDFdocuments\InHouseRepor |];G
USFWS/NPS 2007a Planning Update: Bison and Elk Management Plan, National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park 3p. 9 USFWS
NPS Spring 2007 bison
brucellosis
disease
elk
management
National Elk Refuge
record of decision
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria* This report is an update on the Bison and Elk Management Plan for the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park. It provides a summary of the Record of Decision for 2007, a discussion of why 'Alternative 4' was selected, and the conditions that are desired for the range environment of the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park. There is a discussion of population management with regard "
;H O - A. Nils Peterson
Angela G. Mertig
Jianguo Liu 2006V Effects of Zoonotic Disease Attributes on Public Attitudes towards Wildlife Management 1746-1753" The Journal of Wildlife Management 70 6 attitudes
disease
Idaho
livestock
public opinion
risk
Teton Valley
Wyoming
wildlife health
zoonotic disease
miscellaneous disease
health issues 2006 Society faces a growing challenge in the management of zoonotic wildlife diseases. Unique attributes of zoonotic diseases and the shifting sociocultural contexts within which diseases are experienced create serious challenges for managers. We address 2 critical questions: how do uncertainty and severity associated with a zoonotic disease relate to public management attitudes and preferences, and do immigrant attitudes and preferences differ from those of long-term residents in rural areas of the Intermountain West? We addressed these questions using a personally administered questionnaire in Teton County, Idaho, USA. Based on 2 hypothetical zoonotic wildlife diseases, one less severe and more known (type A) and one more severe and less known (type B), we asked respondents to indicate their agreement with 13 statements regarding their perception of the disease and management preferences. We also asked respondents to indicate their support for different groups controlling management. Our compliance rate was 95% (n = 416, sampling error +/- 4.8%). Respondents considered type B a greater risk to human and livestock health, and supported using lethal control methods, except hunting, to control it. Disease type, however, had less impact on public support for management options involving fencing and supplemental feeding. With only 2 exceptions, longer-term residents (LTR) supported lethal management options more than newer residents (NR). Further, NR hunted less than LTR, thereby restricting lethal management options. Respondents indicated some level of support for all management control options except giving authority to local civic leaders. Newer residents showed higher support for wildlife scientists and federal agencies making management decisions, whereas LTR preferred state livestock agencies. Demographic change in rural areas may lead to higher levels of support for federal and scientific control over zoonotic disease management but lower support for lethal management and ability to enact lethal management. Our results suggest 2 critical management needs: solicitation and consideration of public input for type A zoonotic disease management and promotion of hunting or developing a viable lethal management al A;I
m ( Atkinson, M.W.
J.A. Mikita
N.J. Anderson 20071 Montana Brucellosis Surveillance Report 2006/2007 16p. Bozeman, MT. Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parksm brucellosis
disease surveillance
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bison
elk
grizzly bear
black bear The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) conducts an surveillance program in southwestern Montana using blood collected from elk and bison, and occasionally other species, to test for evidence of exposure to Brucella abortus. Between November 2006 and March 2007, a total of 269 elk, 25 bison, 18 grizzly bear and 15 black bear blood samples were received by the FWP Wildlife Laboratory (WL) for testing. Of the specimens received, 135 elk, 12 bison, 18 grizzly bear and 15 black bear samples were deemed suitable for submission to the Montana Department of Livestock Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MTVDL) for brucellosis serologic testing. In accordance with the State of Montana Brucellosis Testing Procedures (Appendix 1), elk specimens that tested positive or were classified as suspect were subsequently submitted for Western immunoblotq h;J / Colin M. Gillin
Gary M. Tabor
A. Alonso Aguirre 2002C Ecological Health and Wildlife Disease Management in National Parks 253-2645 Conservation Medicine: Ecological Health in Practice 9 Aguirre, A. Alonso
House, Carol A.
Ostfeld, Richard S. New York, New York Oxford University Presst national parks
wildlife health
disease
pollution
recreational overusage
habitat loss
general wildlife health studies% Once considered to be shining examples of pristine nature, national parks and other conservation protected areas are facing increasing threats to their ecological integrity. Habitat fragmentation and degradation, habitat loss, species extinctions, alien species introductions, pollution, and recreational overusage represent some of the cumulative effects that are putting these areas of natural heritage under increasing stress. Long considered a footnote to protected area management, health concerns are gaining greater attention in protected areas as cumulative stresses are enhancing, and sometimes amplifying, conditions for disease and other health effects. In this chapter we discuss the influence of pollution and disease and other health effects on the integrity of parks and protected areas @;K / A. Marm Kilpatrick
Colin M. Gillin
Peter Daszaku Wildlife-livestock conflict: the risk of pathogen transmission from bison to cattle outside Yellowstone National Parkm Brucella abortus
brucellosis
population regulation
climate
disease control
wildlife health
brucella
bacteria The interaction between wildlife and domestic livestock has been a source of conflict for centuries. However, the transmission of pathogens from wildlife to domestic animals has recently gained prominence, including H5N1 avian influenza from wild ducks to poultry, bovine tuberculosis from badgers to cattle, and brucellosis from elk and bison to cattle. The risk of transmission of brucellosis from bison to cattle around Yellowstone National Park is a hotly debated topic and an important conservation issue. Here we integrate epidemiological, population dynamical, and ecological data to assess the spatio-temporal risk of transmission of brucellosis from bison to cattle outside Yellowstone National Park. We show that risk is spatially and temporally heterogenous, shows a highly skewed distribution with predominantly low risk, and is strongly dependent on climate and the abundance of bison. We outline two strategies for managing risk, and highlight the consequences of the current management plan. Our results suggest that risk could be effectively managed with minimal costs, but that land use issues and the larger question of bison population management and movement outside the park might hinder the prospect of ko Ą;M
Sharpe, F. Phillip 1963- Parasites of Yellowstone Lake Cutthroat Trout 1 Yellowstone National Park & Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife animal studies
cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki)
Dibothriocephalus cordiceps
ecology
fish
habitats
lakes and ponds
parasites
trout ( Oncorhynchusnidae)
wildlife health
Yellowstone Lake All populations of animals, including humans and dish, harbor some form of parasites, which in the past served as a check over population numbers. Modern man would rather control these numbers himself, so he feels that these parasites are und
7 P;N ; P Inchausty, Victor H.
Michael Foutz
Richard A. Heckmann
Claudete Ruas
Paulo Ruas 1997M Diplostomiasis in native and introduced fishes from Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming 178-183 Great Basin Naturalist 57 2 cutthroat trout
diplostomiasis
fish
introduced species
lake trout
native species
parasite
Trematoda strigeidae
wildlife health
Yellowstone trout
Diplostomum spathaceum April, 1997 Totals of 101 native Yellowstone cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri), 27 introduced lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), and 40 introduced longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus) from Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming, USA, were examined for eye flukes. Metacercariae of the trematode fluke Diplostomum were in vitreous humor and/or lens of 94% of Yellowstone cutthroat trout, 92% of lake trout, and 78% of longnose sucker. Longnose sucker had 7% prevalence of infection in both lens and vitreous humor of metacercariae, while Yellowstone cutthroat trout had 3% and lake trout 8%. Diplostomum spathaceum was in lens tissue of 5% of infected Yellowstone cutthroat trout and lake trout. Morphological characteristics indicate that a single species infected the lens of the Yellowstone cutthroat trout and longnose sucker, while another species infected lake trout. L I;P # Willard W. Becklund
Clyde M. Senger 1967 Parasites of Ovis canadensis canadensis in Montana, with a Checklist of the Internal and External Parasites of the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep in North America 157-165 The Journal of Parasitology 53 1 bighorn sheep
parasites
wildlife health
Ostertagia circumcincta
Ostertagia lyrata
Ostertagia occidentalis
Ostertagia ostertagi
Trichostrongylus sp.
gastrointestinal nematodes
ostertagiosis February, 19674 Eighteen Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in Montana were examined for parasites at necropsy. Twelve came from the National Bison Range, five from Wildhorse Island (Flathead Lake), and one from the Sun River area. The parasites recovered were: Cysticercus tenuicollis, Wyominia tetoni, Marshallagia marshalli, Ostertagia circumcincta, 0. lyrata, 0 . occidentalis, 0. ostertagi, Cooperia oncophora, C. surnabada, Nematodirus archari, N. davtiani, N. helvetianus, N. lanceolatus, N. spathiger, Trichostrongylus sp. (unidentified females), Protostrongylus rushi, Dermacentor albipictus, and D. venustus. Gastrointestinal nematodes recovered from the National Bison Range sheep ranged in number from 275 to 5,300 per host and those from the Wildhorse Island sheep from 670 to 3,510. The species recovered from the National Bison Range sheep were totally different from those recovered from the Wildhorse Island and Sun River sheep. The parasites recovered represent several new host and distribution records. Included in this report is a checklist of 51 species from Ovis canadensis, based on the present report, unpublished records of specimens in the U. S. National Museum Helminthological Collection, and from the literature. Seventy per cent of these 51 species are known parasites of d ;Q Bergstrom, Robert C. 1975] Prevalence of Dictyocaulus viviparus Infection in Rocky Mountain Elk in Teton County, Wyoming 40-44 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 11 animal studies
animals
elk (Cervus elaphus)
invertebrates
lungworm
mammals
parasites
pathogens
Teton County
ungulates
wildlife health
Dictyocaulus viviparus
lungworms of ruminants
Dictyocaulosis
January, 1975 Dictyocaulus viviparus infections in Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis of Teton County were surveyed by fecal analyses during spring, summer and winter and by fecal analyses and necropsies during fall hunting seasons, 1968-1973. Prevalence of the lungworms was relatively high: 32-70% during the spring; slightly lower, 30-47%, during the summer; 21-39% in the fall; and declined to the annual low of 8-19% during the winter. Conversely, elk summering on Big Game Ridge showed an increase in prevalence of D. viviparus from 1969 to 1973. Decreases in preva < T;R Keiter, Robert B. 1997^ Greater Yellowstone's Bison: Unraveling of an Early American Wildlife Conservation Achievement 1-11" The Journal of Wildlife Management 61 1 animal studies
bison (Bison bison)
Brucella abortus
brucellosis
conservation
elk (Cervus elaphus)
management
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
January, 1997 The Greater Yellowstone region's bison-brucellosis controversy has triggered troublesome proposals giving federal and state agriculture agencies jurisdiction over wildlife to eradicate a domestic livestock disease. Many of the region's bison (Bos bison) and elk (Cervus elaphus) carry the bacterium Brucella abortus, which can cause brucellosis. Local livestock officials fear bison and elk could transmit brucellosis to domestic livestock, jeopardizing state brucellosis class-free status. However, no cases of such transmission in an open range setting have been verified scientifically. Various federal and state agencies have jurisdiction over the region's wildlife and livestock; these agencies are having real difficulty reaching consensus on how to address brucellosis in the wildlife populations. Montana and Idaho recently vested state livestock officials with jurisdiction over bison leaving Yellowstone National Park (YNP), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal, Plant, and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has indicated it may propose regulations asserting jurisdiction over bison. An interim bison management plan, the result of a recent court settlement, provides for the National Park Service (NPS) to participate in capturing, testing, and slaughtering Yellowstone's bison, but makes no provision for addressing brucellosis in elk. The region's brucellosis problem could be adequately addressed though a risk management disease control policy rather than a costly and perhaps fruitless eradication effort. Such an approach can be implemented without the unwelcome precedent of livestock officials taking j $ ;;S f Foos, Michael K. 1989S Isolation of Pilobolus spp. from the Northern Elk Herd in Yellowstone National Park 302-304 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 25 2 1989h Pilobolus spp. were recovered from all fecal samples collected from an elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) herd in Yellowstone National Park (USA) with a high prevalence of Dictyocaulus viviparus infection. Pilobolus spp. have been shown to be important in the epizootiology of D. viviparus infections in cattle because these fungi aid in dissemination of larvae away from feces to areas where animals are more likely to ingest them, and protect larvae against dehydration and thus prolong survival. The same mechanism of dissemination of D. viviparus larvae may play a role in the epizootiology of these infections in elk.0 http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/reprint/25/2/302 Found online, pdf on computer0 http://ww. ;T , 8 Jacobson, Richard H.
Worley, David E.
Greer, Kenneth R. 1969s The Fringed Tapeworm (Thysanosoma actinioides) as a Parasite of the Rocky Mountain Elk in Yellowstone National Park 95-98, Bulletin of the Wildlife Disease Association 5d animal studies
Cervus elaphus
elk
fringed tapeworm
parasites
Thysanosoma actinioides
wildlife health April, 1969 Post-mortem examination of 181 elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) from the northern Yellowstone Park herd in 1967-68 revealed that 41% were infected with Thysanosoma actinioides. Infections occurred in all age classes of animals from seven areas in the Yellowstone, Gardner and Lamar drainages in the northern section of the Park. Prevalence of the parasite was higher in calves and yearlings than in mature elk. Infections varied from 1 to 16 worms per animal, with an average intensity of 4.3 in 75 elk. Worms were confined to the first 6.2 feet of the small intestine, with no distinct habitat preference apparent within this area. Little evidence of T. actinioides or gross lesions associated with its presence was found in the liver or l;U Hollingsworth, Charla R. 1998c The Brucellosis Bacterium: Small but Mighty—An Infectious Animal Disease Decision Case (Abridged) 145-1548 Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education 27k animal studies
bison
Bison bison
Brucella abortus
brucellosis
management
wildlife health
brucella
bacteria 1998 Yellowstone National Park officials managed the park under a natural regulation policy for many years. The park’s wildlife populations naturally increased, or declined, as food supplies and environmental conditions dictated. The winter of 1996 was extremely harsh for the park’s bison, causing many to migrate from the park in search of forage. Livestock producers near the park feared infected bison would transmit brucellosis(Brucella abortus) to their cattle. The disease causes abortions and still-born deliveries in cattle, as well as undulant fever in humans. Brucellosis became the focus of strict nationwide animal health control policies and federally enforced quarantines. Wyoming governor Mike Sullivan orchestrated the creation of a multiagency management committee entitled The Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee, to be formed in addressing the disease in wildlife, namely bison and elk (Cervus elaphus). Its purpose was to establish a practical management plan to reduce migratory bison fatalities, preserve the park’s natural regulation policy, and ensure the retention of adjacent states’ brucellosis-free status from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Montana governmental agencies and area livestock producers feared economic difficulties for the cattle industry in that state due to a rescission of their federal brucellosis-free status resulting from the park’s bison intermingling with cattle. By late 1996, National Park Service employees hazed, corralled, and later shot bison in attempts to keep the animals from associating with Montana livestock. This case illustrates a multiagency management dilemma, interest group / ;V ` H Williams, Elizabeth S.
Thorne, E. Tom
Anderson, S. L.
Herriges, James D. 1993J Brucellosis in Free-ranging Bison (Bison bison) from Teton County, Wyoming 118-122 Journal of Wildlife Diseases 29 1 Wildlife Disease Association animal studies
bacteria
biovar 1
bison
Bison bison
brucella
Brucella abortus
brucellosis
disease
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
serosurvey
wildlife health
Wyoming 1993( Brucellosis was studied opportunistically in bison (Bison bison) in the free-ranging Jackson herd of approximately 120 in Teton County, Wyoming (USA) in March 1989. Recent abortion was diagnosed in a 2-yr-old cow and Brucella abortus biovar 1 was isolated from vaginal discharge, uterine contents, uterus, and supramammary lymph nodes. Endometritis was characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates in the lamina propria and neutrophils in uterine glands and within necrotic debris and exudate in the uterine lumen. A 5-yr-old bull had diffuse lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates in epididymis and accessory sex glands; B. abortus was isolated from seminal vesicle and ampulla. Twenty-seven (77%) of 35 bison tested from 1989 to 1990 were serologically positive or suspect on tests for Brucella antibodies. We report the occurrence of abortion due to brucellosis in free-ranging bison in the Jackson herd, suggest that bison in this herd are capable of transmitting brucellosis to other susceptible hosts, and report the first confirmation of brucellosis in this h T;W ' McLeod, Donald M.
Van Tassell, Larry W. 1996O Economic and Policy Implications of Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area 145-148
Rangelands 18 4 Allen Press animal studies
brucellosis
disease
economics
management
ungulates
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
livestock August, 1996 Brucellosis eradication in livestock has been a long and arduous process, but it appears the 1998 target date set by the State-Federal Cooperative Brucellosis Eradication Program may be well within reach. This effort, which began over 50 years ago, has made dramatic strides. During the 1950's, approximately 124,000 cattle herds were under quarantine because of brucellosis. The number of quarantined herds dropped below 1,000 by 1990 and fell below 100 in 1995 (Burgess, Russell, USDA/APHIS, personal communication, August 1995). Now that the livestock eradication program is nearing completion, more attention is being placed upon brucellosis in wildlife because of possible wildlife and livestock interactions. This focus is presently located in the Greater Yellowstone Area. The Greater Yellowstone Area consists of Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding area in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Because bison and elk, principal carriers of brucellosis in wildlife, are an enduring symbol of the pristine environment in the Greater Yellowstone Area, anxiety is mounting concerning possible repercussions an ;X Murie, Olaus J. 1930 An Epizootic Disease of Elk 214-222 Journal of Mammalogy 11 2 American Society of Mammalogists animal studies
animals
Bacillus necrophorus
bacteria
behavior
Cervus elaphus
disease
elk
feeding
mammals
mortality
National Elk Refuge, WY
population
ungulates
wildlife health
transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) May, 1930 In the summer of 1927 work was definitely begun by the Bureau of Biological Survey on a thorough study of the elk, with Jackson Hole, Wyoming, as the center of operations. It was felt that the status of the elk herds is affected by a complex set of factors and that a solution to the problems of herd management lay in a comprehensive, detailed study of the animal's life history. After starting on this assignment I soon found that disease was a distinct factor in the situation and the first winter was given almost exclusively to this phase of the problem. Although the study of disease among elk has not been completed, the data obtained so far are prese7 T;Y
McBeth, Mark 1998J Bison and Cattle Wars: The Battle for Public Lands in Greater Yellowstone McBeth, Mark Pocatello, Idaho Idaho State Universitya bison
brucellosis
cattle
disease
vaccination
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria 1998D During the winter of 1996-97, between 1000 and 1500 Yellowstone bison were killed by the Montana Department of Livestock as result of the "Interim Bison Management Plan" signed by Yellowstone National Park officials to settle a lawsuit filed by the State of Montana. Montana officials feared that the Yellowstone bison herd in which some bison have brucellosis would infect Montana cattle and Montana would lose its "brucellosis-free" status as conferred by the Animal, Plant, Health, Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture. The plan initially called for testing bison and slaughtering of infected animals. The policy soon spun out of control, however, as bison were indiscriminately corralled and shot on site regardless whether they tested positive for brucellosis. This study reports the results of the qualitative portion of a mail survey sent to citizens in the Yellowstone border communities of West Yellowstone and Gardiner, Montana. Respondents offered their open-ended answers to questions concerning problem definition and possible solutions. The results indicate that in regard to problem definition, 36% of the comments were directed against the management practices of the National Park Service (NPS) and 33% were directed against the trio of Montana ranchers, elected officials, and APHIS. Citizens who blamed the NPS for the problem overwhelmingly favored a carrying capacity for bison that will keep the bison in the park. The rest of the respondents offered several solutions including buffer zones, vaccination of3 $ ;Z Davis, Donald S. 19906 Recent Advances on Brucellosis in Wildlife Populations 373-385 Second International Symposia Adams, L. Garry College Station, Texas University Pressf wildlife
brucellosis
greater Yellowstone Area
National bison range
brucella abortus
brucella
bacteria 1990e Brucellosis in populations of free-ranging wildlife is not a new phenomena. Brucella abortus was first documented in a non-domesticated species when Creech in 1930 isolated the bacterium from the testes of a bison (Bison bison) bull from [the National Bison Range]. This was only some thirty odd years after the discovery of brucellosis in cattle by Bang in 1897. Since that time various species of the Genus Brucella have been reported in scores of sylvatic species of terrestrial mammals on virtually every continent of the globe. As examples of the varied distribution of brucellosis, Brucella suis biovar 4 has been isolated from musk ox in the arctic (Ovibos moschatus moschatus) (Gates et al., 1984), while both B. suis (biovars 2 and 3) and B. abortus (biovar 2, 3, 4, and 5) were isolat \ ;[ Davis, Donald S. 1990 Brucellosis in Wildlife 321-334 Animal Brucellosis Nielson, K.
J.R. Duncan Boca Raton, Florida
CRC Press V Brucellosis
epidemiology
wildlife
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria$ Most of the historical investigations and, hence, the scientific literature have predominantly dealt with diseases in domestic animals or humans caused by various species of the genus Brucella. There are, however, numerous examples of widespread brucellosis in free-ranging, semidomesticated, and captive wildlife species. As brucellosis is being actively eradicated or, at least, successfully controlled in most domestic species in the more industrialized or advanced countries of the world, the presence of Brucella species in wildlife populations increases in importance as a potential future health threat to sympatric livestock industries and human populations. This pattern will, in every likelihood, be repeated in Third-World countries as improved vaccines and diagnostic techniques are eventually applied to the problem of brucellosis in their domestic livestock. At present, even in the face of the powerful tools of modern medical technology, there is no known example of a successful eradication of brucellosis from a free-ranging wildlife population without the accompanying eradication of that infected wildlife population. It is, therefore, highly probable that the last remaining reservoir of brucellosis on this earth will be a wildlife population. This increasing epidemiologic significance of brucellosis in wildlife populations dictates that investigations should be conducted to understand better the disease as it exists in nature and that innovative disease prevention and control methods be tested for their efficacy in wildlife applications. 391 Foun ] 7 Found in Bison Library ;\ Price, David
Paul Schullery 19937 The Bison of Yellowstone: The Challenge of Conservation 18-23 Bison World November/December animal studies
bacteria
bison (Bison bison)
brucella
Brucella abortus
brucellosis
disease
mammals
management
natural resource management
population
population control
preservation
wildlife health November/December 1993 This article lays out a background regarding Yellowstone National Park as a haven for wildlife, the slaughter of elk and bison that was uncontrolled during the first years of the Yellowstone as a national park, and the reduction of bison in Yellowstone to only a few dozen animals. The article has a section on managing Yellowstone for ecological processes. As well, there is a section on brucellosis in the Yellowstone bison including a discussion on the differences of brucellosis in bison and cattle. There is an examination of the issues surrounding brucellosis in bison and problems related to possible s
;]
Hensel, D. 1997 Yellowstone Again 2 Bison World April/May/June 1997b bison
brucellosis
slaughter
management
winter
wildlife health
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria April/May/June 1997 This article briefly discusses the current (as of 1997) management of bison and brucellosis in Yellowstone National Park (YNP). The Interim Bison Management Agreement (IBMA) is a plan that entails the collection, testing, and possible slaughter of bison that leave the park at West Yellowstone, MT and Gardiner, MT. The severe winter of 1996-97 is used as an example of why the management of the bison-brucellosis issue needs to be reexamined and is an important issue. He discusses how the IBMA was altered due to the extreme winter weather and increase in the amount of bison that were predicted to leave the park that winter. The author gives numerous examples to show that changes need to be made in the current actions taken to deal with the bison-b
z
7 ;^ 2 Thorne, E. Tom
D. Abendroth
S. Kilpatrick
S. Smith 1996 Beating Brucellosis 17-24 Wyoming Wildlife 60Y bison
brucella
brucella abortus
bacteria
brucellosis
feedgrounds
management
feedgrounds 1996[ No animal is more symbolic of the vast open spaces, deep forests, and rugged mountain landscapes of Wyoming than the elk. Residents and visitors alike enjoy seeing and photographing elk, hearing them bugle, stalking them on crisp fall days, and just knowing they’re out there, living wild.
Elk are a reflection of nature’s grandeur, but they bring with them a burden of responsibility. Managing elk herds in a state like Wyoming demands a detailed technical grasp of their biology and ecology along with a year-to-year assessment of their abundance and productivity. Beyond the scientific requirements, good elk management must strike a precarious balance among a spectrum of public interests on a mixture of public and private land. Anyone concerned with elk and the complexity of the biological and political issues involved in elk management.
Brucellosis is a problem of particular concern to wildlife managers in western Wyoming because elk herds associated with feed grounds there carry this disease. While the disease is not fatal to an adult elk, it typically causes fifty percent of infected females to abort their first calves following the infection. Even more important are the consequences of elk infecting cattle with brucellosis. If this ever happened, it could interfere with cattle sale and shipment in Wyoming. The state’s livestock industry could face dire economic impacts.
In such circumstances, Wyoming’s elk could face a crisis of their own. If ranchers found that elk were infecting their cattle, there might well be a call for compensation payments from the state and/or extreme control measures. The state might be forced to reduce elk herds. A testing program could be required in which all elk testing positive were immediately slaughtered. There might be pressure to eliminate elk feed grounds, since feed-ground elk are more likely to carry brucellosis than elk wintering on native habitat.
Brucellosis is a problem in elk of the Yellowstone area, not only because it has focused intense political pressure on a treasured wildlife resource. Both wildlife managers and livestock managers are interested in preventing the spread of brucellosis among elk, bison, and cattle, but reaching that goal won’t be simple. The best way to begin is with a combination of strategies that addresses both the causes and potential effects of the d3 b ;_ Foos, K. Michael 1993 Pilobolus Ecology 2-5 Yellowstone Science 1 3 Yellowstone National Park animal studies
bacteria
Dictyocaulus viviparus
disease
elk
Cervus elaphus
fecal bacteria
fungi
larvae
lungworm
mammals
pellets (fecal)
Pilobolus spp.
population
wildlife health 1993 Yellowstone National Park is an area famous for largeness: