Assessment of tribal bison worker hazards using trusted research facilitators

Abstract

This collaborative research study contributes to a better understanding of hazards faced by tribal bison workers. Findings from this research influenced the ITBC in their decision to add worker safety and health training to the agenda of their yearly conference and promote tailgate trainings for their workers. UNL veterinarians have taken the lessons learned from this research and provided safety and health information to mangers of other non-tribal bison herds. This research partnership will continue with a 5-year research study focusing on best management practices and establishing training to improve the health and safety bison workers.

Breadth of the socio-ecological model

“…14,15 There was an acknowledged need to support comprehensive programs that strengthen relationships via networking, sharing information, appropriate legislation, and enhancing leadership, as well as developing best practices in safety management practices. 16,17 To be good stewards of resources, the already created safety curricula need to be promoted nationally and be available for free download shared by multiple agencies, schools, and institutions. Delivering safety messages through existing FFA Chapters and secondary education programs was found to be effective.…”

A Behavioral Index for Assessing Bison Stress Level during Handling and Demographic Predictors of Stress Response

“…Most bison currently exist in privately owned, generally productionoriented, herds and only about 4% remain in conservation herds on public lands (Freese et al, 2007;Metzger & Anderson, 1998;Ranglack & Du Toit, 2015). Regardless of management contexts, most will be rounded up and "worked" through a corral system for parasite control, veterinary attention, sorting, and/or processing annually (Duysen et al, 2017;Finocchiaro, 2019;Kossler, 2015). Techniques common in cattle ranching, including round up via all-terrain vehicles or horses and pushing individuals through corral systems are occasionally employed for bison (Duysen et al, 2017;Finocchiaro, 2019;Kossler, 2015;Wolfe, Shipka, & Kimball, 1999).…”

“…Regardless of management contexts, most will be rounded up and "worked" through a corral system for parasite control, veterinary attention, sorting, and/or processing annually (Duysen et al, 2017;Finocchiaro, 2019;Kossler, 2015). Techniques common in cattle ranching, including round up via all-terrain vehicles or horses and pushing individuals through corral systems are occasionally employed for bison (Duysen et al, 2017;Finocchiaro, 2019;Kossler, 2015;Wolfe, Shipka, & Kimball, 1999). However, given the wild or semiwild nature of most bison, they are more likely to be injured or killed while being handled than cattle (Duysen et al, 2017;Grandin, 1999b;Lanier, Grandin, Chaffin, & Chaffin, 1999).…”

“…Techniques common in cattle ranching, including round up via all-terrain vehicles or horses and pushing individuals through corral systems are occasionally employed for bison (Duysen et al, 2017;Finocchiaro, 2019;Kossler, 2015;Wolfe, Shipka, & Kimball, 1999). However, given the wild or semiwild nature of most bison, they are more likely to be injured or killed while being handled than cattle (Duysen et al, 2017;Grandin, 1999b;Lanier, Grandin, Chaffin, & Chaffin, 1999). Bison regularly experience high levels of stress during handling that can result in erratic behavior such as attempting to jump holding pens or goring other bison (Lanier & Grandin, 2001;Lanier et al, 1999).…”

“…Even less extreme stress responses can promote sickness, limit growth, and reduce meat quality (Grandin, 2008;Grandin, Oldfield, & Boyd, 1998b;McCorkell et al, 2013;Shoemaker, 2014). Additionally, highly stressed bison pose a larger threat to the safety of bison management personnel (Duysen et al, 2017;Finocchiaro, 2019;Lanier et al, 1999). Furthermore, handling can serve as a selective pressure promoting domestication (Gates et al, 2010;Jones & Dratch, 2017).…”