APHIS UPDATE 6 August 2008

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

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.

Wildlife/cattle interface

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% Overall: (217/545): 40% Calves: (31/209): 15% Calves: (31/209): 15% Adults: (186/336): 55.4% Adults: (186/336): 55.4%

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 2 cow mortalities/calves euthanized 3 stillborns/dystocias 3 stillborns/dystocias 1 calf rejected 1 calf rejected No seroconversions or culture positive animals through 21 tested so far. 14 open animals held for breeding this summer

Bison Quarantine Feasibility Study – Update August ‘08 Phase I-Brogan Facility 112 yearlings accepted from YNP Mar/Apr st test- May 21 st nd test- June 25 th 3 rd 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

Bison Quarantine Feasibility Study – Update August ‘08 Phase I-Brogan Facility Future work: 4 th 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**