Brucellosis prevention efforts include Beartooth Front

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - State wildlife officials are expanding efforts to keep elk that may be infected with brucellosis away from domestic cattle.

Landowners in the so-called “Designated Surveillance Area” around Yellowstone National Park can manage elk through hazing, limited fencing and having some elk killed.

The Billings Gazette reports (https://bit.ly/2dZab5J ) the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission on Thursday approved a plan to extend the use of those tools to landowners southeast of Red Lodge along the Beartooth Front.

The elk kills would be limited to 10 elk and would require a commissioner’s approval.

FWP officials say last year, hunters shot eight elk in the Paradise Valley to keep the elk away from livestock. Brucellosis can cause cattle to abort.

___

Information from: The Billings Gazette, https://www.billingsgazette.com