| Summary:
The topic of quarantine in relation to Yellowstone buffalo
has received significant attention in recent years, particularly
in the past few months. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS), with assistance from the MT Department
of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), has recently approved the
first phase of a quarantine feasibility study.
The study involves taking 100 buffalo calves captured under
the Interagency Bison Management Plan when the population
of the Yellowstone herd numbers more than 3000. At least half
the buffalo will be slaughtered and culture tested for brucellosis.
The remaining buffalo will be held over for phase two, which
is expected to be similar in nature. If any buffalo remain
after phase two, they will enter phase three, the calving
phase. More buffalo will be slaughtered and tested. If any
buffalo remain, they may be placed at their final release
site to be held behind a fence for one more year and then
finally released as “wild” buffalo.
The buffalo will be held in a 400-acre facility for phase
one. They will be periodically tested for brucellosis and
artificially fed as necessary. Future phases of the study
will occur at similar sites. While this is not the only possible
scenario for quarantining Yellowstone buffalo, it is the only
one currently under consideration by APHIS. APHIS has not
prioritized the development of alternative diagnosis tools
for brucellosis or potential novel treatments for the disease.
Further, AHPIS has adamantly objected to tribal involvement
in the quarantine process.
Problems with quarantine of Yellowstone Buffalo:
1. Genetics: The Yellowstone buffalo herd
is unique. Yellowstone buffalo are the only buffalo with a
continuous history of being wild and unfenced. They are genetically
unique, exhibiting the highest level of genetic diversity
of all buffalo in the world. Actions which remove a very specific
segment of the Yellowstone herd will have drastic impacts
on the genetic diversity of targeted subpopulations. Specifically,
the APHIS plan calls for removing 80 female buffalo calves
and 20 male calves on an annual basis. While no analysis has
been conducted on the impacts to this specific population,
it is likely that such a removal will constitute a 50% reduction
in female calves that have survived their first winter. Because
selection will also include the slaughter of sero-positive
calves and only involve those that migrate out of Yellowstone,
the specific impact on the subpopulation from which the test
subject calves derive will be devastating to the future of
that subpopulation.
2. Domestication: Quarantine of the extent
proposed by APHIS for Yellowstone buffalo is not consistent
with standard wildlife management practices. Quarantine periods
of short duration have been used with other species with some
success and with significant impacts to the quarantined animals
once released. The type of quarantine proposed is specifically
a technique for domestic livestock. The quarantined buffalo
will be subjected to human handling throughout the process
and will receive supplemental feed. They will be isolated
from other members of the herd from which they learn the techniques
necessary for survival in the wild. They will be exposed only
to other buffalo in their age class and will lose the family
structure characteristic of wild animals. Breeding will occur
in captivity with male buffalo that will not compete for breeding
rights, thus disturbing the natural selectivity and behavior
that would be exercised in the wild. Quarantine, captive breeding,
and artificial feeding will cause a breakdown of family structure,
unnatural breeding patterns, and a general loss of skills
learned from natural settings and seasonal migration. In short,
the buffalo that survive quarantine will be much like domestic
buffalo and therefore will not benefit species conservation.
They will be like other captive herds, which would make a
more suitable population for such programs.
3. Purpose and Need: Quarantine has been
proposed for Yellowstone buffalo in the context of a need
to control population growth and to promote restoration of
buffalo to other areas. However, population pressures are
due to artificial constructs. The target population of 3000
buffalo for Yellowstone National Park is not based on the
ecological carrying capacity of the park. Further, if winter
range habitat is extended for the buffalo, the potential for
greater populations of buffalo will be greatly expanded. If
those extensions of habitat are consistent with migratory
patterns, it is possible for buffalo to naturally move to
areas currently considered for the placement of quarantined
buffalo. Management plans to address the risk of brucellosis
transmission could be developed for the new areas to insure
the retention of Montana’s brucellosis class free status.
4. Native American Tribes: Native American
tribes, who have a vested interest in the restoration of buffalo
to tribal lands, have not been included in the planning and
development of buffalo relocation proposals. Tribal reservation
lands present the best possible scenario for buffalo relocation
programs because as sovereign nations, the tribes have a greater
ability to manage land use to be consistent with the principles
of quarantine without the need for the domesticating influence
of small heavily regulated pastures and artificial feed.
Conclusion: Quarantine is an inappropriate
tool for Yellowstone buffalo. The genetic uniqueness and historical
significance of Yellowstone buffalo requires that management
decisions be carefully considered and thoroughly evaluated.
Quarantine of the nature proposed is exclusively suited for
domestic animals and is not consistent with accepted wildlife
conservation practices. Quarantine that focuses on specific
population segments, age, and sex classes will have a drastic
effect on the genetic diversity of the buffalo. Such selection
will compromise the future of the buffalo that remain in Yellowstone
and will not succeed in creating other herds with the cherished
characteristics of the Yellowstone buffalo. The need for invasive
population management and relocation of buffalo should be
discussed in the context of expanded habitat options in the
Greater Yellowstone Area. Native American tribes must be involved
in the development and implementation of buffalo restoration
projects. Respect for the sacred nature of Yellowstone buffalo
must be at the forefront of decisions determining their future.
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