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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 any time of year and sexes appear to be equally susceptible.

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Found online, pdf on computerNatureBib ID: 652405

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