Brucellosis-Free Elk Provide Valuable Insights In Montana

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks workers recently captured elk in the Crazy Mountains northwest of Big Timber as part of a multi year elk brucellosis surveillance effort. .

Every blood sample taken from 52 came up negative for brucellosis exposure.

State Veterinarian Tahnee Szymanski said, "Test data from live elk captures assist brucellosis management choices in Montana,” "These negative test results are valuable to Montana's cattle business since they help give our trading partners confidence on the caliber and strength of our state program."

Late January was used for capture operations in the Crazy Mountains. Sixteen elk were placed with GPS collars that would be active for one year to assist wildlife management in better understanding their seasonal ranges, migration paths and possible mingling with other elk herds.

These activities aim to assess the existence and grasp brucellosis migration in elk populations in Montana. Understanding the junction between elk and cattle on the terrain benefits wildlife managers and animal health officials as well.

FWP Research Technician Jenny Jones commented, "We truly appreciate those who took the time to consider our request for capture access; many landowners find helicopter capture to be unattractive."The bacterial disease brucellosis can affect humans, cattle, bison and elk as well as cause abortion or weak calf birth. Mostly, the sickness is passed on by touching contaminated birth tissues and fluids.

Operating under the Designated Surveillance Area (DSA), the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) runs a brucellosis surveillance program for cattle in a southwest Montana area. DSA requirements guard the state and national cattle sector against unintentional brucellosis spread through animal movement. The DSA's livestock are subject to further brucellosis testing needs for transportation and change of ownership as well as additional traceability requirements since they run the danger of being exposed to brucellosis from sick wildlife.

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Live elk catches in and around the DSA's perimeter guides DOL's boundary change choices. Outside the DSA lie the Crazy Mountains. The new test findings from the Crazy Mountains suggest maintaining the present DSA boundary unaltered.