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John
Nishi. 2002. Surveillance Activities Under the Northwest Territories Bison
Control Area Program (1987-2000). 37 pp.
ABSTRACT
In
1987, the Bison Control Area (BCA) program was established to reduce the
risk of contact between healthy free-ranging bison (Bison
bison) herds in the Northwest Territories and those bison in and
around Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) which are infected with bovine tuberculosis
(Mycobacterium bovis) and brucellosis (Brucella abortus).
In this paper, I summarize the main results of this surveillance program
since its inception. I also review recent data on health status of the
Mackenzie wood bison herd and then outline issues and considerations for
the future of the BCA program. Since diseased bison in and around WBNP
represent a continued threat of disease exposure to healthy bison in the
Mackenzie and Nahanni herds, my principle recommendation is to continue
the BCA and maintain surveillance in the buffer zone.
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