APHIS UPDATE

1. APHIS UPDATE 6 August 2008

2. Hauling bison to slaughter • APHIS contractors hauled 1276 bison to slaughter in MT and ID from Stephen’s Creek capture facility • Inquires from ~ 525 tribal organizations about receiving meat • Over 59 Native American organizations and food banks received meat

3. Bison Sampling • Partnered with YNP and Univ. of Montana in tissue sampling at slaughterhouses. • APHIS sampled tissues at the slaughterhouses for brucellosis and Johne’s Disease. • Initiated a bison serum bank for future studies.

4. Wildlife/cattle interface

5. APHIS Activities • ID slaughterhouse surveillance: 47% positive • MT slaughterhouse surveillance: 42% positive • MT slaughterhouse bulls> 2yr.(66/104): 65%(+) • Testing at Stephen’s Creek: • Overall: (217/545): 40% • Calves: (31/209): 15% • Adults: (186/336): 55.4%

6. Bison Quarantine Feasibility Study – Update August ‘08 • Phase II-Slip n’ Slide Ranch • 43 now 3 and 4 year olds at Slip N Slide • 22 of 23 cows have calved; 16 live calves • 2 cow mortalities/calves euthanized • 3 stillborns/dystocias • 1 calf rejected • No seroconversions or culture positive animals through 21 tested so far. • 14 open animals held for breeding this summer

7. Bison Quarantine Feasibility Study – Update August ‘08 • Phase I-Brogan Facility • 112 yearlings accepted from YNP Mar/Apr 2008 • 1st test- May 21st 2008 • 2nd test- June 25th • 3rd test- July 24 • Testing continues until cohort negative • 2 chute mortalities • 1 death neurological signs-rabies neg • 1 dead unknown cause • 23 seropositive or suspects cultured • 85 total in herd: 22 M; 63 F

8. Bison Quarantine Feasibility Study – Update August ‘08 • Phase I-Brogan Facility • Future work: • 4th herd test-August 2008 • Slaughter and culture ½ of animals after 2 consecutive negative serological herd tests. • Culture results pending on seropositives shipped to slaughter**