Bison Management Plan

Data collection for each plan encountered some limitations. The data gathered by the IBMP for bison population counts from 2008 to 2012 were only at a 95 percent accuracy rate with a broad range of numbers that required the study to utilize a mean value of total population count for that year, rather than am exact number of bison population. Additionally, culling operations each year did not state whether or not bison that were sent to slaughter has tested positive for brucellosis. This lack of data prevented the study from being able to determine statistical number and possible correlation between bison sent to slaughter and bison that tested positive for brucellosis. Also, the study was unable to determine the correlation between the
The results of the analysis are only as good as the data they are based on.
RESULTS
Interagency Bison Management Plan The results of the number of bison captured each year and the abundance of bison only has moderate correlation. The data showing only a 38.63 correlation between the two. Helping determine that the reason of the number of bison captured is only partially due to the bison abundance. The results of the number of bison harvested each year and the abundance of bison in the park showed a very strong correlation. The data indicated a 72.08 percent correlation. This supports the theory that the number of bison harvested each year is greatly due to the higher number of bison populations. The results of the number of captured bison that tested positive for brucellosis and the number of livestock that transmitted brucellosis each year in the GYE showed no correlation. The data indicated a 0.02 percent chance of correlation. This analyses supports the theory that the number of bison outside the park and the relative risk of transmission to livestock is extremely low.
Montana Areas with Brucellosis Elk
With the new data available there is a significant need for a new model that recognizes bison as wild and free animals. The study showed that the current management practices of bison in the GYE are not completely or constantly implemented as designed and planned. The data analysis indicated that the primary focus of the IBMP management practices are to maintain the current bison population to a designated number and to protect livestock from brucellosis by preventing comingling of bison and livestock. The efforts and actions under the IBMP have shown no commitment to eliminating brucellosis in bison. Research and data indicates less concern over the eradicating brucellosis from bison and more concern over livestock transmission. Additionally, the lack of a bison vaccination program is unacceptable. There have been fewer than 350 female bison have been vaccinated since 2000. It has been determined that the direct treatment of the infected class is a powerful force in reducing disease transmission (Ebinger, et al., 2011). According to Treanor, et al. (2010), vaccinated bison exposed to brucellosis are less likely to become infectious and transmit the disease to other herd