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  3. Montana elk test positive for exposure to brucellosis

Montana elk test positive for exposure to brucellosis

JACKSON, WYOMING -- Elk, part of a herd of more than 1,600, make their way through blowing snow at the National Elk Refuge outside Jackson Hole, Wyo., where, for 90 years, elk coming down from the high country for the winter, have gathered where they are fed through the season. Almost 8,000 elk in three herds, fed alfalfa pellets daily in the coldest months, start arriving in mid-October from the surrounding high country. Tourists can reach the herd by horse-drawn sleigh. (Michael Kodas / Associated Press)
JACKSON, WYOMING -- Elk, part of a herd of more than 1,600, make their way through blowing snow at the National Elk Refuge outside Jackson Hole, Wyo., where, for 90 years, elk coming down from the high country for the winter, have gathered where they are fed through the season. Almost 8,000 elk in three herds, fed alfalfa pellets daily in the coldest months, start arriving in mid-October from the surrounding high country. Tourists can reach the herd by horse-drawn sleigh. (Michael Kodas / Associated Press)

HUNTING --  Six of 16 cow elk captured just north of the Wyoming border have tested positive for exposure to brucellosis, researchers say.

The results are from a sampling of 94 elk captured south of Big Timber by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks crews in January.

According to the Casper Star-Tribune, the elk were captured on Forest Service land in Montana where there are no cattle grazing allotments.

Brucellosis can cause cattle to abort their calves. Cattle in Wyoming typically catch brucellosis from elk that carry the disease.

People can get brucellosis by drinking unpasteurized milk but human cases in the U.S. are rare.

The bacterial disease is usually transmitted through contact with infected tissues and fluids.

Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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