NPS will maintain a capture facility at the Reese Creek boundary, near Gardiner, to prevent bison from migrating from the park onto private lands. These bison will be shipped to slaughter and the carcasses donated or sold at public auction. DOL will maintain two capture facilities near West Yellowstone for the purpose of selectively removing bison that pose a higher risk of transmitting brucellosis. High risk bison will be shipped to slaughter and the carcasses either donated or sold at public auction. Brucellosis is typically transmitted when susceptible animals come into direct contact with tissues or discharges from infected animals.
Infection generally results from the ingestion of contaminated material.
Occasionally, the bacteria may occur in other tissues or body fluids. Following exposure, the bacteria may remain dormant, within the cells of the host animal. In bulls, active infection typically occurs during sexual maturation. In cows, active infection usually occurs during the first pregnancy after exposure and this pregnancy is aborted. Several weeks after the abortion, the bacteria usually localize in the lymph nodes surrounding the reproductive organs and the udder.