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Journal
Publications
Nishi J.S., Elkin B.T., and Ellsworth T.R..
2002. The Hook Lake Wood Bison Recovery Project: Can a disease-free
captive wood bison herd be recovered from a wild population infected with
bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis? Annals of the New York Academy of
Sciences. 969: 229-235. (PDF
= 134KB)
Abstract
The Hook Lake Wood Bison Recovery Project
(HLWBRP) is a wildlife conservation project aimed at recovering a captive,
disease-free herd of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) from a wild
herd infected with bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) and
brucellosis (Brucella abortus). The disease eradication protocol we
have used involves a combination of techniques, including: 1) orphaning of
newborn wild-caught calves to minimize exposure to B. abortus and
M. bovis; 2) testing calves for maternal antibodies to brucellosis in
the field prior to inclusion in the project; 3) isolating calves in pairs to
prevent potential spread of disease; 4) prophylactic treatment using anti-mycobacterial
and anti-Brucella drugs; and 5) an intensive whole-herd testing program for
both diseases and removal of reactors. From 1996 to 1998, we captured a
total of 62 calves; presently 58 individuals comprise the founder herd. The
captive-born cohorts consist of 7 two-year olds, 21 yearlings, and 22
calves. To date there have been no cases of bovine tuberculosis or
brucellosis in the captive herd. |
