Feasibility of quarantine procedures for bison (Bison bison) calves from Yellowstone National Park for conservation of brucellosis-free bison

Abstract

OBJECTIVE--To determine the feasibility of qualifying individuals or groups of Yellowstone National Park bison as free from brucellosis. DESIGN--Cohort study. SAMPLE--Serum, blood, and various samples from live bison and tissues taken at necropsy from 214 bison over 7 years. PROCEDURES--Blood was collected from bison every 30 to 45 days for serologic tests and microbiological culture of blood for Brucella abortus. Seropositive bison were euthanized until all remaining bison had 2 consecutive negative test results. Half the seronegative bison were randomly euthanized, and tissues were collected for bacteriologic culture. The remaining seronegative bison were bred, and blood was tested at least twice per year. Cow-calf pairs were sampled immediately after calving and 6 months after calving for evidence of B abortus. RESULTS--Post-enrollment serial testing for B abortus antibodies revealed no bison that seroconverted after 205 days (first cohort) and 180 days (second cohort). During initial serial testing, 85% of bison seroconverted within 120 days after removal from the infected population. Brucella abortus was not cultured from any euthanized seronegative bison (0/88). After parturition, no cows or calves had a positive test result for B abortus antibodies, nor was B abortus cultured from any samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE--Results suggested it is feasible to qualify brucellosis-free bison from an infected herd following quarantine procedures as published in the USDA APHIS brucellosis eradication uniform methods and rules. Latent infection was not detected in this sample of bison when applying the USDA APHIS quarantine protocol.

THE EFFICACY OF NALBUPHINE, MEDETOMIDINE, AND AZAPERONE IN IMMOBILIZING AMERICAN BISON (BISON BISON)

“…Other drugs used more recently in bison and cattle include various combinations of a 2 -adrenoceptor agonists with tiletamine and zolazepam and sometimes ketamine (Caulkett et al 2000;Hofkes et al 2005;Re et al 2013). Bison are most commonly immobilized with carfentanil (Kock and Berger 1987;Haigh and Gates 1995) or thiafentanil (Frey et al 2013;Clarke et al 2014); however, regulatory requirements for use and storage of potent opioids limit access to these drugs. An optimal alternative drug combination for field use would offer a high rate of successful, reversible immobiliza-tion, a relatively low rate of adverse effects, and a low-volume dose to accommodate remote delivery.…”

Using Tailored Tranquilizer Combinations to Reduce Stress Associated With Large Ungulate Capture and Translocation

“…Other drugs used more recently in bison and cattle include various combinations of a 2 -adrenoceptor agonists with tiletamine and zolazepam and sometimes ketamine (Caulkett et al 2000;Hofkes et al 2005;Re et al 2013). Bison are most commonly immobilized with carfentanil (Kock and Berger 1987;Haigh and Gates 1995) or thiafentanil (Frey et al 2013;Clarke et al 2014); however, regulatory requirements for use and storage of potent opioids limit access to these drugs. An optimal alternative drug combination for field use would offer a high rate of successful, reversible immobilization, a relatively low rate of adverse effects, and a low-volume dose to accommodate remote delivery.…”

Genetic analysis of a Bison bison herd derived from the Yellowstone National Park population

“…Together with assessing domestic cattle DNA introgression, these generic analyses provided a preliminary assessment of genetic diversity and breeding a conservation herd originating from YNP. Further, this study represents a potential model for reintroducing a native species to areas of its historic range under the condition that the animals complete the quarantine protocol for being declared brucellosis‐free, though the quarantine protocol may be financially prohibitive (Zaluski et al 2010, Clarke et al 2014). By using genetic analyses when choosing animals to translocate from the founding population to a new herd, management teams increase the chances of retaining genetic diversity, minimizing inbreeding, and maximizing genetic variability in future generations.…”

“…Animals in this study were part of the bison quarantine feasibility study (BQFS) that was started in spring 2005 by the Interagency bison management plan (IBMP) (Zaluski et al 2010, Clarke et al 2014). The BQFS is a cooperative investigative study involving: Montana Dept of Livestock; Montana Dept of Fish, Wildlife and Parks; US Dept of the Interior; National Park Service; USDA Forest Service; and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA‐APHIS).…”

“…Animals in this study were part of the bison quarantine feasibility study (BQFS) that was initiated to explore alternative options for bison that leave the protection of the park ' s perimeters. Specifi cally, this study sought to determine the feasibility of qualifying YNP bison as free of brucellosis through a quarantine protocol (Zaluski et al 2010, Clarke et al 2014. If successful, the BQFS herd would be reintroduced into the wild as a brucellosis-free herd.…”