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Bureau of Land Management Research Needs
TITLE:
Sylvatic Plague
Research (Prairie
Dog/Black Footed Ferret Program)
SUBMITTING BUREAU: Bureau of Land Management
Originating Office: Montana State Office
DATE SUBMITTED: May 21, 1996
BIN NUMBER: BLM02CR98
BRD REGION: Central
DESCRIPTION OF NEED: Prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) of all species are declining throughout their range very rapidly. A major cause of this decline is disease. Sylvatic plague (Yersinia pestis) has been identified as the cause of major die-offs of prairie dogs. Prairie dogs are the main food source of the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), probably the most endangered mammal in the world. With the decline of the prairie dog within its range as a result of plague (Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Arizona, etc.) the future of black-footed ferret reintroduction is in jeopardy. Also, many other species that are associated with prairie dog colonies (i.e., burrowing owl, mountain plover, ferruginous hawk, swift fox, etc.) have a bleak future if something is not done to understand and control these disease outbreaks.
Plague is well known within the human health community but, when plague affects a wildlife population, very little is known. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks has proposed two specific studies to BRD within the last two months (enclosed in a buck slip). Dr. Paul Young is beginning work on plague on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation (also in enclosure). But, as all researchers suggest, if many of the basic questions (how is it spread, why does it erupt, how long does it last, how does it exist in a prairie dog population, etc.) of plague are not answered soon, many of our efforts to know and understand plague within a prairie dog population could be lost.
MANAGEMENT PROBLEM WITH NEED: This is an immediate need, not a study to do when it is convenient if we are to continue efforts in the reintroduction of black-footed ferrets, swift fox or the conservative management of burrowing owls, mountain plovers, ferruginous hawk, etc. We must know these basis questions before we can continue with hope for the reintroduction of the black-footed ferret rather than beginning a study on the reintroduction of the black-tailed prairie dog.
BUREAU CONTACT: John J. Grensten Wildlife Biologist, BLM Phillips Resource Area , HC 65 Box 5000 , Malta, MT 59538 (406) 654-1240
BRD PRIMARY CENTER: MESC
BRD CENTER CONTACT: Dean Biggins
RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION (FY99): There have been several recent discussions with the BLM regarding plague research. I talked to John Grensten of the Phillips Resource Area and Mike Albee of the Little Snake resource Area (Colorado) about prospective sites for studies, if funding and experimental treatments become available. Northwest Colorado may be a better site than Montana for the research, because plague seems to be more prevalent. John had no objection to using Colorado sites for tests, but availability of chemicals is problematic. The University of Wyoming is completing a study of the flea sterilant pyriproxifen at the Rocky mountain Arsenal, with disappointing results. BRD is peripherally involved in testing a second insect growth hormone (lufenuron), in conjunction with the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Plague Branch of CDC (both n Fort Collins). No funding is available to directly support the BIN.
Sylvatic plague may be having serious impacts on wildlife other than those species associated with the prairie dog ecosystem, but much interest in plague has been generated by the need to manage black-footed ferret habitat (i.e., prairie dog complexes). All species of prairie dogs comprising ferret habitat are known to be subject to massive mortality due to epizootics of plague. Adding to that disturbing scenario is a recent discovery that the disease was lethal to black-footed ferrets themselves (several other carnivores, including some Mustelids, are relatively resistant). Public health and clinical aspects of plague in humans are better understood than is the ecology of the sylvatic form of the disease in its native Asia or on continents where it has been introduced (including North America).
MESC has generated a checklist of potential research topics on plague organized under broad headings such as the following: (1) flea ecology (e.g., species responsible, climatic influences, population dynamics), (2) ecology of the bacterium (e.g., extra-host persistence, endemism of less virulent strains, genetics), (3) resistance in carnivores (e.g., genetic influences, comparative susceptibility), (4) "reservoir" species in natural systems (e.g., susceptibility in rodents other than prairie dogs, incidence rates), (5) monitoring methods in prairie dog systems (e.g., flea sampling, carnivore serum sampling, finding an "early warning" indicator), (6) long-term effects on prairie dog systems (e.g., re-sampling of white-tailed prairie dog complexes after 10-20 years), and (7) management in prairie dog systems (e.g., tests of chemical methods for flea control, vaccine development). Although there are competing demands in the MESC black-footed ferret research program, some funding from that program has gone to high priority plague research (within topics 3, 5, and 6 above). Interdisciplinary teamwork is critical. On studies where MESC lacks sufficient expertise, cooperation has been promoted with other institutions including Colorado State University (Veterinary School), University of Hawaii (genetics), University of Wyoming (genetics), Centers for Disease Control--Plague Branch (susceptibility, monitoring, etc.), and BRD's Wildlife Health Center (vaccine). There has not been sufficient funding in the ferret program (at MESC or elsewhere) to adequately address any of the topics listed. CDC has a long-standing interest in the subject, but has funding only for issues of public health. Several universities have recently recognized the need, and have developed low levels of independent funding (U. of Montana, U. of Arizona, Kansas State U.)
Discussions of the BLM-sponsored BIN have centered on management of plague in the prairie dog ecosystem, motivated by BLM's need to manage reintroduction habitat for black-footed ferrets, especially at its sites in Montana, Colorado, and Utah. MESC submitted a proposal to the Colorado working group for testing methods of flea control, and their effects on non-target species. That proposal is contingent on finding adequate funding, and on availability of potential chemical agents. "Availability" encompasses questions of laboratory efficacy for use on prairie dogs, production of commercial quantities, and legality of use/permitting for application in natural ecosystems. All are problematic. The only recommendations coming from the participants in the BIN discussions are to maintain the high priority of the need for these studies, and to try to find additional funding (probably a minimum of $100 K for several years). We are hoping the ongoing study of lufenuron by Colorado Division of Wildlife, CDC, and MESC will provide a candidate product for field testing, in which case the "action" recommendation would be to pursue the proposed field study. The study could begin as early as summer, 1999.
In addition to the BIN process, frequent discussions of plague occur in the Black-footed Ferret Recovery Implementation Team (BFFRIT), and the Disease and Conservation subcommittees. All have designated plague research as high priority.
DATE SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE: November 27, 1998
PREPARED BY: Dean E. Biggins, Vertebrate Ecology Section, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO (970)226-9467; email dean_biggins@usgs.gov
RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION (FY98): I have been in touch with John Grensten several times since my report of September, 1996, but there have been few new developments. The University of Wyoming has begun to test the flea sterilant pyriproxifen at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Other needed research is not being conducted because of lack of funding.
DATE SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE: 30 October 1997
PREPARED BY: Dean E. Biggins, Vertebrate Ecology Section, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO (970)226-9467; email dean_biggins@usgs.gov
Addendum by BRD Central Regional Office (3/10/97):
The National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) in Madison, Wisconsin has met with the Midcontinent Science Center, BLM, FWS, and NPS to develop research plans for addressing plague and its impact on the recovery of black-footed ferrets and on prairie dog ecosystems. This effort includes the evaluation of vaccine effectiveness in prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets, which has recently been funded for one year (1997). NWHC contact: Milt Friend
U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://biology.usgs.gov/cro/98blm-3.htm
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