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Abstract:

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.

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Found in Bison LibraryNatureBib ID: 652099

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