Brucellosis found in Bighorn Mountain elk

Two elk have tested positive for brucellosis in the Bighorn Mountains. However, no cattle in the same area have been found with the disease. State Veterinarian Jim Logan is recommending a risk assessment of livestock and advised area livestock producers to conduct voluntary surveillance for brucellosis. Elk arrive in the Bighorns from different locations, so Logan said he doesn't know how extensive the infection is. Tim Woolley, of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, says that the elk with brucellosis could have come from Montana, the Absaroka Mountains or from the Thermopolis area. Woolley says Game and Fish wants to obtain more information before arriving at any conclusions.