Elk Feedground Future Discussed

Pinedale, WY – The future of western Wyoming's 22 elk feedgrounds was the topic of a Pinedale forum Wednesday held by the Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee. Elk were the source of the cattle outbreak of brucellosis in Sublette county that led to Wyoming losing its' brucellosis-free status. Feedgrounds are important because they tend to concentrate the disease. National Elk Refuge Manager Barry Reiswig says it may be time to consider the notion of a end to an era. He says the change will come because the U-S wants to be considered brucellosis-free in the international market. Reiswig says the attention is coming because the Greater Yellowstone area will soon be the only area where the disease still is a threat.