Environmental samples were collected from carcass sites during and after anthrax outbreaks in 2000 and 2001 in the bison (Bison bison) population within Wood Buffalo National Park and the Hook Lake Region north of Wood Buffalo National Park. Bacillus anthracis spores were isolated from these samples and confirmed using phenotypic characterization and real-time PCR. Confirmed B. anthracis isolat...

Genetic variation and differentiation at 32 microsatellite loci was quantified for parent-descendant cattle populations and parent-descendant bison () populations. We compared heterozygosity () and allelic richness () for 587 cattle of four breeds and three lines derived from them, and 188 bison in three pairs of parent-descendant populations. and were less in the Line 1 Hereford inbred cattle ...

BACKGROUND The intestinal tract harbours a complex and diverse microbial population that is important for health, yet has been poorly described in many species. This study explored the fecal microbiota of semi-free-ranging Wood bison (Bison bison athabascae). RESULTS A total of 2081936 16S rRNA (V4) sequences from 40 bison were evaluated. CatchAll analysis of richness predicted a mean of 1068...

Within the tribe Bovini in the subfamily Bovinae, the water buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis), American bison (Bison bison), European bison (Bubalus bonasus) and yak (Bos grunniens) are recognized as species highly susceptible to malignant catarrhal fever (MCF). In contrast, the lack of reports describing clinical MCF in the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) whether free ranging or captive has led to a...

Recent breeding and conservation of European bison are hindered by numerous health problems. These animals have a low resistance and poor tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. In E. bison frequently are diagnosed abnormalities and dysfunctions of reproductive organs. This is undoubtedly associated with a high rate of inbreeding in this species. In males more often so called preputial d...

An unusually large number of cases of Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) were observed in United States cattle and white-tailed deer in the summer and fall of 2012. USDA APHIS Veterinary Services area offices were asked to report on foreign animal disease investigations and state diagnostic laboratory submissions which resulted in a diagnosis of EHD based on positive PCR results. EHD was repor...