Alternative 6: Aggressive Brucellosis Control within YellowstoneNational Park through Vaccination

This alternative, like alternative 5, would pursue the aggressive reduction of brucellosis from the Yellowstone bison herd. However, the entire bison herd would first be vaccinated (when a safe and effective vaccine was available), primarily through remote means, and tested as they attempted to exit at park boundary locations. When tests showed the incidence of exposure to B. abortus had stabilized as a result of vaccination, (estimated to occur in 10 years) the herd-wide capture, test, and slaughter of seropositive bison outlined in alternative 5 would begin.

Unlike alternative 5, bison would be allowed in the Eagle Creek/Bear Creek and western SMAs, although the majority of bison in the western SMA would be tested and released seronegatives. The National Park Service would construct and operate a capture facility at Seven-Mile Bridge inside the park on the west side. Nearly all bison migrating toward the West Yellowstone area cross through this narrow area. These facilities (at Duck Creek and the Madison River) would be dismantled, although a small, backup capture facility near Horse Butte, might be maintained.