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Published online 9 April 2008 | Nature 452, 677 (2008) | doi:10.1038/452677b
News in Brief
Brucellosis fears hamper Yellowstone bison plans
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Another Brucellosis infection in Montana cattle could jeopardize the state’s Brucellosis-free status and negatively affect the industry (7th largest herd in USA). The recent case of Brucellosis in cattle in Montana (May 2007) actually occurred away from the park in Bridger, MT (~90 km away). However, the cows are suspected of coming from another ranch in Emigrant, MT which is closer to the park and its bison (~33km away). The fatal flaw to controlling Brucellosis is that elk, which are widespread in Montana and the surrounding states, also carry the disease... Also, little is known about how wildlife transmit it to cows to permit accurate risk assessments. Thus, the debate will continue as to whether the federal government is responsible for controlling bison &/or vaccinating the park’s bison herd, whether the state will have split Brucellosis-free status (near park vs. away), or whether the cattle industry will vaccinate its herds (regionally or statewide). Bison are also disliked because when they leave the park they destroy a lot of fence. Elk also damage fences but they are viewed more fondly since they are a high value wildlife species for sportsmen. Outfitters in Montana, currently supplement the income of many ranches around the park to access their prized hunting lands.