Brucellosis

We have a problem in Yellowstone, and it has to do with a deadly disease - brucellosis. Brucella abortus is found in 50% of Yellowstone's free ranging bison herd. This disease can be transmitted to cattle living outside of Yellowstone National Park's boundaries when bison wander out of the park. When a cow contracts this disease, its calf during a pregnancy will be aborted. Brucellosis can also be transferred to humans and cause undulating fever.

Researchers are currently trying to find a vaccine for brucellosis to give to cattle and humans. Currently there is no treatment for the disease.

Ranchers are deathly afraid of brucellosis affecting their cattle herds. With no proven vaccine to protect their cows, they must be weary of wandering bison. If one cow tests positive for brucellosis, the whole herd must be quarentined and slaughtered. Some ranchers believe that once bison leave the park's boundaries, they should be shot on the spot. Others think hazing the bison back into the park is a good strategy.

Opponents of the shooting of bison think that these magnificent animals should roam free like they did on the plains a few hundred years ago. There's no way to tell a bison what its boundary is. Thousands of bison leave the park each winter to escape the frigid, mountainous climate and find warmer grass-laden valleys outside of Yellowstone's boundaries. There's no way to regulate the comings and goings of bison in and out of the park since there are so many of them! These opponents want more research on vaccines that actually work.

What side do you sympathize with? Look on the internet for more information on brucellosis before making your decision!