Bovine brucellosis in elk: Conflicts in the Greater Yellowstone area

Authors(s): E. T. Thorne, J. D. Herriges and A. D. Reese

Publication: Proceedings of Elk Vulnerability - a symposium

Publisher: Kwik Kopy Printing

Publication Date: 0000-00-00

Type:

Location: Montana State University, Bozeman MT

Abstract: Bovine brucellosis is prevalent in elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) of northwestern Wyoming and occurs rarely in elk of nothern Yellowstone National Park and some neighboring parts of Montana. Occurrence of brucellosis in Wyoming is a consequnce of supplemental winter feeding as a substitute for natural winter ranges, to control depredation, and reduce winter mortalities. Presence of the disease in elk of northern Yellowstone may reflect their association with infected bison and interchange with fed elk populations. A cooperative brucellosis eradication program has made considerable progress toward eliminating the causative organism from the United States; cattle in all three states surrounding the Greater Yellowstone Area are now free of the disease. With eradication possible in the not too distant future, wildlife populations harboring brucellosis are being placed on a bio-political collision course with the brucellosis eradication program, state and federal livestock industries, and western grazing practices. Extreme solutions are depopulation of elk and bison (Bison bison) within the Greater Yellowstone Area on one hand and elimination of cattle grazing from the ecosystem on the other, neither being acceptable. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has chosen more moderate, yet effective, methods of dealing with the problem, including vaccinations of fed elk, attempting to reduce reliance of elk on supplemental feed through habitat improvement and acquisition, and maintaining separation betwen cattle and elk during high-risk transmission periods. However, cooperative efforts by all involved parties throughout the Greater Yellowstone Area will be required to minimize impacts of all affected resources and interest groups.

Keywords: Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, animal studies, winter food supplementation, food , forage, feeding, management, predation, population, hunting, human activity, management, mortality, habitat, elk, wapiti, livestock, Cervus elaphus nelsoni, Cervidae, bison , Bison bison, disease, animal, mammal, ungulate, brucellosis, Brucella abortus