Economic and Policy Implications of Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area
Author | : Donald M. McLeod |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 4 |
Release | : 1996 |
ISBN-10 | : OCLC:1305895726 |
ISBN-13 | : |
Rating | : 4/5 (26 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: Brucellosis eradication in livestock has been a long and arduous process, but it appears the 1998 target date set by the State-Federal Cooperative Brucellosis Eradication Program may be well within reach. This effort, which began over 50 years ago, has made dramatic strides. During the 1950's, approximately 124,000 cattle herds were under quarantine because of brucellosis. The number of quarantined herds dropped below 1,000 by 1990 and fell below 100 in 1995 (Burgess, Russell, USDA/APHIS, personal communication, August 1995). Now that the livestock eradication program is nearing completion, more attention is being placed upon brucellosis in wildlife because of possible wildlife and livestock interactions. This focus is presently located in the Greater Yellowstone Area. The Greater Yellowstone Area consists of Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding area in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Because bison and elk, principal carriers of brucellosis in wildlife, are an enduring symbol of the pristine environment in the Greater Yellowstone Area, anxiety is mounting concerning possible repercussions any solution may have upon wildlife.