MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS
BOZEMAN – Two
elk sampled recently in the Ruby Mountains were found to be seropositive
for brucellosis, indicating they’ve been exposed to the disease. The Ruby Mountains
are east of Dillon and are currently outside but near the boundary of the
Montana Department of Livestock’s Designated Surveillance Area, an area
where livestock brucellosis testing and traceability requirements
exist due to the presence of brucellosis in elk.
These
seropositive elk were two among 100 elk sampled by Montana Fish, Wildlife and
Parks in the Ruby Mountains this year. The sampling is part of the ongoing
Targeted Elk Brucellosis Surveillance Project. The goal of the
project is to determine the presence of brucellosis in elk and
understand the movement patterns of elk populations. This research provides
important data on the overlap between elk and livestock on the landscape.
“The
discovery of brucellosis-exposed elk in the Ruby Mountains emphasizes the
importance of elk surveillance near the boundary of the DSA,” said Montana
State Veterinarian Martin Zaluski. “We appreciate the continued partnership
with FWP which helps us identify where livestock are potentially at risk.”
Brucellosis is
a bacterial disease that infects cattle, bison and elk and can result in
abortion or the birth of weak calves. The disease is primarily transmitted
through contact with infected birth tissues and fluids.
Visit fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/diseasesAndResearch/healthPrograms/brucellosis for more information about brucellosis and the Targeted Elk Brucellosis Surveillance Project.
