Brucellosis Elimination in Greater Yellowstone Area

brucellosis eradication task force
resolution and position statement

Brucellosis Elimination in Greater Yellowstone Area

BACKGROUND: The policy of natural regulation by the Department of Interior, National Park Service, in Yellowstone National Park, has led to environmental degradation of the park with the consequential problems of loss of species (both plant and animal), progression toward desertification, brucellosis exacerbation, and overpopulation with large ungulates (bison and elk) resulting in annual starvation of hundreds of animals. The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service have agreed in principle to population control, but implementation of such measures has not occurred because of abuses of the National Environmental Policy Act. Efforts by state animal health and fish and game officials and USDA, through the Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee, to develop and implement effective brucellosis control and elimination efforts in Yellowstone National Park and the Greater Yellowstone Area have been stymied by the policy of natural regulation. The feeding of bison and elk, by the Department of Interior, on the National Elk Refuge has resulted in an artificially high population of bison and elk and a high sero-prevelance of brucellosis in Grand Teton National Park bison and elk populations. The acquisition of additional lands for bison outside Yellowstone National Park will not resolve the overpopulation problem, nor address the brucellosis issue.

POSITION STATEMENT: The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) opposes the acquisition of additional lands for wildlife and strongly urges the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to continue to remain involved in active management of animal and plant species in Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge, to protect the environment, prevent overpopulation within the existing park boundaries and control diseases including brucellosis.

NIAA strongly urges continued cooperation between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Interior to develop and implement active disease control efforts, designed to lead to elimination of brucellosis from the susceptible animal populations under its control in the Greater Yellowstone Area, and all national park lands in the United States.

NIAA urges all members and member organizations to communicate to the President of the United States and the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture the urgency for actions that will protect our national treasures of Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge from environmental degradation, wildlife disease and starvation in the Greater Yellowstone Area.

Reprinting of this resolution is encouraged.