Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area

The Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho contains internationally recognized natural features and free-ranging wildlife. Brucellosis, a bacterial disease, is present in some bison and elk in the GYA and this poses a risk to livestock operations in the surrounding areas because brucellosis causes females to abort their young.  Concerns extend beyond the boundaries of the GYA because of a 60-year effort to eradicate brucellosis from domestic livestock in the United States.

In August, 2005, the Ruckelshaus Institute helped organize and facilitated a workshop on wildlife vaccines for brucellosis.

In September, 1995, the Institute Board Meeting focused on the complex management issues associated with brucellosis and developed procedural recommendations for the Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee.