Wildlife Habitat, Feedgrounds, and Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area

Submitted by bsiadmin on Mon, 04/07/2008 - 16:59.

Publication Type:

Conference Paper

Authors:

Smith, Scott G.; Steve Kilpatrick; Arthur D. Reese; Bruce L. Smith; Tom Lemke; David Hunter

Source:

Brucellosis, Bison, Elk, and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee, Jackson, WY (1994)

Call Number:

636.089 B886 1997

Keywords:

animal studies; bacteria; bison (Bison bison); brucella brucella abortus; brucellosis; cattle; disease; ecosystems; elk (Cervus elaphus); habitats; wildlife health

Abstract:

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 populationsThe 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 placed on northwest Wyoming and the integrated management approach being implemented.

Notes:

Found at Yellowstone Research LibraryNatureBib ID: 138165