Evaluating management alternatives for Wyoming elk feedgrounds in consideration of chronic wasting disease

作者：Jonathan D. Cook, Paul C. Cross, Emma M. Tomaszewski, Eric K. Cole, Evan H. Campbell Grant, James M. Wilder, Michael C. Runge · 发表于：Antarctica A Keystone in a Changing World · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.3133/ofr20231015 · 被引用次数：15 · 研究领域：Wildlife Ecology and Conservation、Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology、Forest Management and Policy

First posted March 9, 2023 For additional information, contact: Director, Northern Rocky Mountain Science CenterU.S. Geological Survey2327 University Way, Suite 2 Bozeman, MT 59715 The authors used decision and modeling analyses to evaluate management alternatives for a decision on whether to permit Cervus canadensis (elk) feeding on two sites on Bridger-Teton National Forest, Dell Creek and Forest Park. Supplemental feeding of elk could increase the transmission of chronic wasting disease (CWD) locally and disease spread regionally, potentially impacting elk populations over time with wider implications for Odocoileus hemionus (mule deer) and Odocoileus virginianus (white-tailed deer) populations and hunting, tourism, and regional revenue. Supplemental feeding is thought to improve overwinter elk survival and reduce the commingling of elk with cattle during months when brucellosis transmission risk is highest. We worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service to identify their fundamental objectives and associated performance metrics related to this feedground decision. We then developed disease and habitat selection models to quantify the effect of four management alternatives on select performance metrics. The four alternatives were to continue to permit feeding, phaseout permits to feed in three years, permit feeding on an emergency basis, or stop permitting feeding. In this report, we present methods and summarized results on disease and habitat selection ...