BOARD OF WILDLIFE COMMISSIONERS

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1 BOARD OF WILDLIFE COMMISSIONERS # APPLICANT INFORMATION WILDLIFE HERITAGE TRUST ACCOUNT PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM PERSON/ORGANIZATION/AGENCY NAME ADDRESS 1 TITLE CITY STATE ZIP PHONE CELL FAX OTHER PROJECT INFORMATION PROJECT TITLE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT HOW DOES THIS PROJECT MEET THE OBJECTIVES OF THE WILDLIFE HERITAGE PROGRAM (NRS ) WILDLIFE HERITAGE TRUST ACCOUNT PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM Rev 12/1/10 Page 1

2 BOARD OF WILDLIFE COMMISSIONERS # PROJECT INFORMATION PROJECT LOCATION IS A PROJECT MAP ATTACHED? YES NO (A MAP MUST INCLUDE THE PROJECT TITLE, MAP SCALE, DATE MAP WAS CREATED, AND A NORTH ARROW) LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY ON WHICH THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS TO BE LOCATED (MUST INCLUDE THE PROPERTY ADDRESS, ACCESS ROADS, TOWNSHIP, RANGE AND SECTION) A PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE DOES THIS PROJECT HAVE ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF MONIES FOR FUNDING OTHER THAN YOUR HERITAGE TRUST FUND REQUEST? YES NO DOES THIS PROJECT INVOLVE HABITAT RESTORATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF A LONG TERM OR PERMANENT NATURE? YES NO PLEASE DESCRIBE IN DETAIL THE REASON WHY YOU NEED HERITAGE TRUST FUNDING TO FUND THIS PROJECT PROJECT DURATION ONE YEAR TWO YEARS THREE YEARS MORE ESTIMATED START DATE ESTIMATED END DATE WILDLIFE HERITAGE TRUST ACCOUNT PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM Rev 12/1/10 Page 2

3 BOARD OF WILDLIFE COMMISSIONERS # PROJECT FUNDING (BREAKDOWN SHOULD BE FOR ONE YEAR ONLY) 1. HERITAGE TRUST FUND CASH AMOUNT REQUESTED $ 2. OTHER CASH FUNDING SOURCES FOR THIS PROJECT a. $ b. $ c. $ d. $ e. TOTAL OTHER CASH FUNDING SOURCES (LINES a d) $ 3. DONATIONS FOR THIS PROJECT a. VOLUNTEER TIME $ b. EQUIPMENT $ c. MATERIALS $ d. $ e. $ f. $ g. $ h. TOTAL DONATIONS (LINES a g) $ 4. TOTAL HERITAGE TRUST FUND PROJECT FUNDING $ (ADD LINES 1, 2e, 3h) WILDLIFE HERITAGE TRUST ACCOUNT PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM Rev 12/1/10 Page 3

4 BOARD OF WILDLIFE COMMISSIONERS # PROJECT COSTS (BREAKDOWN SHOULD BE FOR ONE YEAR ONLY) HERITAGE COSTS ONLY ALL OTHER COSTS 1. LAND ACQUISITION 2. PERSONNEL (NDOW EMPLOYEE SALARIES NOT INCLUDED) $ $ $ $ 3. TRAVEL (NDOW EMPLOYEE COSTS NOT INCLUDED) a. PER DIEM $ $ b. MILEAGE $ $ c. TOTAL TRAVEL COSTS (LINES a, b) $ $ 4. EQUIPMENT ITEMS 5. MATERIALS a. $ $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. TOTAL EQUIPMENT COSTS (LINES a d) $ $ a. $ $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. TOTAL MATERIAL COSTS (LINES a d) $ $ 6. MISCELLANEOUS COSTS a. $ $ b. $ $ c. $ $ d. $ $ e. TOTAL MISCELLANEOUS COSTS (LINES a d) $ $ 7. TOTAL HERITAGE COSTS ONLY $ (ADD LINES 1, 2, 3C, 4e, 5E, 6e) 8. TOTAL ALL OTHER COSTS $ (ADD LINES 1, 2, 3C, 4e, 5E, 6e) 9. TOTAL HERITAGE TRUST FUND PROJECT COSTS $ (ADD LINES 7,8) TOTAL HERITAGE TRUST FUND PROJECT FUNDING MUST MATCH TOTAL HERITAGE TRUST FUND PROJECT COSTS a. TOTAL HERITAGE TRUST FUND PROJECT FUNDING $ b. TOTAL HERITAGE TRUST FUND PROJECT COSTS $ TOTAL FROM LINE #9 WILDLIFE HERITAGE TRUST ACCOUNT PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM Rev 12/1/10 Page 4

5 BOARD OF WILDLIFE COMMISSIONERS # ARE THERE GOING TO BE ANY ONGOING COSTS FOR THIS PROJECT? YES NO IF THERE ARE ONGOING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROJECT, IS THERE AN ANTICIPATED FUNDING SOURCE FOR THESE COSTS? YES NO HOW WILL YOU GIVE CREDIT TO THE HERITAGE TRUST FUND ACCOUNT AND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES? DATE PRINT NAME AUTHORIZING SIGNATURE REVIEWED DATE WILDLIFE HERITAGE TRUST ACCOUNT PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM Rev 12/1/10 Page 5

6 ADDENDUM # Heritage Grant Project: PL Wolff - Respiratory pathogens in mountain goats / bighorn sheep 2014 Wildlife Heritage Trust Fund Proposal DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT Respiratory pathogens in mountain goats: assessing effects on recruitment and transmission risk to sympatric bighorn sheep The goal of this project is to identify respiratory pathogens in mountain goats following a pneumonia epizootic in sympatric bighorn sheep and determine if they negatively impact kid survival. Significance: Respiratory disease is a major threat to bighorn sheep. Little attention has been paid to respiratory disease in mountain goats. Following a pneumonia die-off of bighorn sheep in the East Humboldt and Ruby Mountains of Nevada, a dead mountain goat was found with pneumonia. Subsequently, captured mountain goats were positive for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, Bibersteinia trehalosi, and Mannheimia haemolytica. Fall surveys documented low kid:adult ratios indicative of poor recruitment as is often observed for bighorn sheep after pneumonia die-offs. In summer 2013, we documented signs of respiratory disease in kids. Also in 2013, after relocation of any die-off survivors, 20 Rocky mountain bighorn sheep were reintroduced into the East Humboldt range. It is a high priority to identify respiratory pathogens in mountain goats, their effects on kid survival, and the risk of transmission to reintroduced bighorns Hypothesis/Objectives: A. We hypothesize that respiratory pathogens in mountain goats following a epizootic in bighorn sheep are genetically similar to those identified in sympatric bighorn sheep, but are different from those in mountain goats with no history of pneumonia. We also hypothesize that these pathogens will be transmitted to bighorn sheep that were reintroduced in B. We hypothesize that mountain goats infected by respiratory pathogens during the epizootic have retained these pathogens and that this 1) results in pneumonia negatively impacting kid survival and 2) poses a disease risk to reintroduced bighorn sheep. Study Design: We will use state-of the art methodologies including PCR, DNA sequencing, MALDI- TOF bacterial identification, and PFGE strain typing to determine genetic similarity of respiratory pathogens including M. ovipneumoniae, M. haemolytica, and B. trehalosi among samples collected from a) bighorn sheep during the epizootic, b) sympatric mountain goats, c) reintroduced bighorn sheep, and d) mountain goats with no pneumonia history. We will observe mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and their offspring during summer to record signs of respiratory disease, monitor offspring survival, and document interspecific contact. For kids or lambs that die or when an adult female s behavior suggests her offspring has died, we will scan the area for signs of a carcass and attempt to access it as soon as possible (as observer safety permits) to determine cause of death and collect samples for respiratory pathogen testing. As carcass condition permits, we will collect samples for analysis. 1

7 ADDENDUM # Heritage Grant Project: PL Wolff - Respiratory pathogens in mountain goats / bighorn sheep Preliminary Data: We documented M. ovipneumoniae (14/15 samples) and M. haemolytica and/or B. trehalosi (13/15) in East Humboldt mountain goats sympatric with bighorn sheep that experienced the epizootic. In samples from Utah mountain goats with no history of pneumonia M. ovipneumoniae was not detected (0/67) and Pasteurella spp (B. trehalosi) was rare (1/20). This is consistent with our expectations and findings by others in bighorn sheep. In summer 2013, we directly observed signs of respiratory disease in 5 East Humboldt kids, and telemetry data indicated considerable overlap between reintroduced bighorn rams and mountain goats substantiating the potential for inter-specific contact. Expected Results: We expect to find that East Humboldt mountain goats have respiratory pathogen strains similar to those found in sympatric bighorn sheep during the epizootic. We expect to find that, following the epizootic, mountain goats chronically carry and shed respiratory pathogens with negative effects on kid survival, and that these pathogens will be transmitted to and negatively affect the reintroduced bighorn sheep population. Potential Impact for Animal Health: Respiratory pathogens studied in this proposal have been associated with bighorn sheep die-offs followed by years of little to no recruitment threatening recovery efforts. Respiratory disease in bighorn sheep has generally been considered to be a result of contact with domestic sheep or goats. Our preliminary data suggest mountain goats are also infected with and negatively impacted by these pathogens. Determining whether mountain goats, which are sympatric with bighorn sheep in several areas in North America, are reservoirs for respiratory pathogens is critical to achieving an accurate understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of pneumonia. Our study will provide information that will lead to improved management decisions supporting reduced transmission in areas where these species overlap ultimately leading to improved conservation of bighorn sheep and mountain goat populations. 2

8 ADDENDUM # Wildlife Heritage Proposal: P.L. Wolff - Respiratory Pathogens in Mtn. Goats/Bighorn Sheep HOW DOES THIS PROJECT MEET THE OBJECTIVES OF THE WILDLIFE HERITAGE PROGRAM (NRS ) Respiratory pathogens studied in this proposal have been associated with bighorn sheep dieoffs followed by years of little to no recruitment threatening recovery efforts. These epizootics in bighorn sheep have generally been considered to be a result of contact with domestic sheep or goats. Our preliminary data suggest mountain goats are also infected with and negatively impacted by these pathogens. Determining whether mountain goats, which are sympatric with bighorn sheep in several areas in North America, are reservoirs for respiratory pathogens is critical to achieving an accurate understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of pneumonia which is essential for developing effective conservation and management strategies for these species in Nevada. The sustainable use of big game species such as bighorn sheep and mountain goats is a high priority for wildlife managers. Bighorn sheep are a prized species for hunters. In Nevada, between 1952, the first bighorn sheep hunting season, to 2000 hunters spent >2 million dollars on tag fees (NDOW Bighorn Sheep Management Plan ). Since the early 1990 s Nevada issued 61 tags for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in the east Humboldt and Ruby Mountains and the Nevada Record book Rocky Mountain bighorn Ram was also harvested from this hunt unit. The resulting poor recruitment that follows pneumonia outbreaks in bighorn sheep, leads to reduced population abundance providing fewer opportunities for harvest. Mountain goats are also an important big game species. To date in Nevada, 372 mountain goats have been harvested out of the East Humboldt and Ruby mountains since the first goat hunting season in Thus far, no one has investigated the possibility that mountain goats are also negatively affected by pneumonia with consequent negative impacts to population abundance and hunting opportunities for this species. Our study will provide information that will lead to improved management decisions to minimize disease transmission in the East Humboldt and Ruby mountain ranges. If mountain goats are competent reservoirs for respiratory pathogens associated with pneumonia outbreaks, managers will need to take action to minimize contacts between mountain goats and bighorn sheep. If mountain goats are also negatively impacted by these pathogens, managers will not only need to try and minimize interactions between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep and goats but contact between mountain goats and domestic species as well. [Type text] [Type text]

9 ADDENDUM # Wildlife Heritage Proposal: P.L. Wolff - Respiratory Pathogens in Mtn. Goats/Bighorn Sheep PLEASE DESCRIBE IN DETAIL THE REASON WHY YOU NEED HERITAGE TRUST FUNDING TO FUND THIS PROJECT This project, Respiratory pathogens in mountain goats: assessing effects on recruitment and transmission risk to sympatric bighorn sheep is a collaborative effort between the Nevada Department of Wildlife, Iowa State University and Washington State University. Grant applications for funding support of this project have also been submitted to the Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) and Safari Club International (SCI). As outlined in the project description, disease impacts on mountain goat populations have been poorly studied. Recently there has been an increased focus on mountain goats in the western U.S. primarily as they relate to bighorn sheep in areas where their ranges overlap. Recently NDOW was contacted by researchers working in the Greater Yellowstone Area who were interested in the preliminary data that we have accumulated on respiratory disease in our mountain goats. At this time it is unknown whether we will receive funding from MAF or SCI for this project due to their funding cycles. If we do receive funding from either of these organizations then we will be able to utilize the Heritage funding to expand the scope of the grant, specifically by increasing the number of years in which we can study kid recruitment in our mountain goats and lamb recruitment in the reintroduced Alberta bighorns and potentially interactions between the two species. The limiting factor in our understanding of poor kid recruitment is that we have little data on kids within the first 6 months of life. The mountain goat population in the East Humboldt's has historically used areas of the mountain during the summer months that are relatively accessible for observation and we fully expect that the introduced bighorn sheep will also expand their summer range increasing the potential for interactions and potential disease transmission. Thus with adequate personnel on the ground as well as a larger number of marked and collared animals (provided by the greater funding received from the Heritage Project Fund) we can insure that we fully document what is occurring within and between these two species. If we do not receive continued funding for this project then we will lose a unique opportunity to study the impacts of respiratory disease in mountain goats and the possible transmission of respiratory disease to reintroduced naïve bighorn sheep and will impact our ability to develop science based management decisions for these 2 species in the East Humboldt's. Conducting this research was an agreed upon stipulation to receive the funding support from our NGO partners to import the sheep from Alberta in 2013 (see attachment # 4) [Type text] [Type text]

10 ADDENDUM # Wildlife Heritage Grant PL wolff Respiratory pathogens mountain goats / bighorn sheep 2014 Wildlife Heritage Fund Grant Respiratory pathogens in mountain goats: assessing effects on recruitment and transmission risk to sympatric bighorn sheep Pathogen Identification Animal Observation Analyze Data YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 JULY-DEC 2014 JAN-JUNE 2015 JULY-DEC 2015 JAN-JUNE 2016 JULY-DEC 2016 Prepare Report

11 ADDENDUM # Wildlife Heritage Grant PL wolff Respiratory pathogens mountain goats / bighorn sheep

12 2014 Wildlife Heritage Respiratory pathogens in mountain goats Assessing effects on recruitment and transmission risk to sympatric bighorn sheep East Humboldt s

13 IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY O F S C I E N C E A N D T E C H N O L O G Y College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management 339 Science II Ames, Iowa FAX Dear Dr. Wolff, On behalf of Dr. Paul Plummer and myself, this letter signifies our support of the proposed project Respiratory pathogens in mountain goats: assessing effects on recruitment and transmission risk to sympatric bighorn sheep. Testing for Mannheimia haemolytica and Bibersteinia trehalosi will take place at Iowa State University (ISU) in the laboratory of Dr. Paul Plummer. If our pending Morris Animal Foundation and Safari Club International Foundation grants are not funded, the costs of pathogen testing estimated at $4,000 will be covered by ISU funds. Both the field observations of mountain goats and bighorn sheep as well as the pathogen testing in Dr. Plummer s lab will be conducted by a M.S. student we will co-supervise. Iowa State University is able to provide partial support for the M.S. student through a Teaching Assistantship that will cover 4 months of the student s stipend, benefits, and tuition. The support associated with the Teaching Assistantship is $9,889. We very much look forward to working with you on this very important project. Sincerely, Julie A. Blanchong Julie A. Blanchong, Associate Professor Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management Iowa State University Ames, Iowa Phone: julieb@iastate.edu

14 2014 Heritage Grant Project: PL Wolff - Respiratory pathogens in mountain goats / bighorn sheep

15 Non-Profit Tax Exempt td 88.O{80276 NEVADA BIGHORNS UNLIMITED P.O. Box 2/,393 Reno, Nevada 895{5-{393 Phone ( wwrv. n evad a b i g h orns. o rg February 28,20L4 Commissioner Grant Wallace Chairman, Wildlife Heritage Committee Chairman Jack Robb Chairman, Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners Dear Commissioner Wallace and Chairman Robb; The proposal before the Wildlife Heritage Committee put forth by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) regarding Mountain Goat and Bighorn Sheep Monitoring following the reintroduction of Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep from Alberta, Canada into the East Humboldt Range is a vitalcomponent of the overall reintroduction plan, The research and monitoring component of this reintroduction was a key component to the overall project, and was acknowledged by Nevada Bighorns Unlimited and NDOW in prior to moving forward (see attached position statement to then NDOW Director Ken Mayer from NBU). At NBU's February 27th meeting of the Board of Directors, the board approved the funding of two Summer Technicians and additional funding for this project in the amount of $20, lt is NBU's hope that the Wildlife Heritage Committee would see the value of funding satellite collars, satellite collar data transmission costs, aerial telemetry costs, capture/recapture costs and other vital costs to the monitoring/research component of the proposal submitted by NDOW. Please contact me with any questions. Sincerely, Nevada Bighorns Unlimited il* ft, "-1 l"a'rt' Dennis R. Wilson, DVM President Phone: (775) Page 1- of 2 - Sportsmen Working for the Future of Nevada's Wildlife

16 Nevada Bighorns Unlimited (NBU) is a non-profit 501(c)(3)grass roots sportsmen's conservation organization with over 3,500 members throughout Nevada, the western United Stotes and North America. The mission of the organization is to protect and enhance Nevada's witdtife resources for sportsmen, outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts for this and future generdtions. NBu volunteers do this through the reintroduction of big game, habitat conservation and improvement, public educstion and participation, biological and scientific reseorch, and the influence of public poticy, NBU hqs raised millions of dollars ond logged thousands of volunteer hours in support of Nevada's wildtife. Page 2 of 2 - Sportsmen Working for the Future of Nevadars Wildlife -

17 Non.Profit Tax Exempt td NEVADA-BIGHORNS UNLIMITED P,O, Box Reno, Nevada Phone & Fax (775) wvyw. nevadabighorns.org September L4,20tt Mr. Kenneth Mayer, Director Nevada Depaftment of Wildlife 1100 Valley Road Reno, NV Dear Director Mayer: The following is a position statement of the Board of Directors of the Nevada Bighorns Unlimited on the potential introduction of Alberta Bighorn Sheep (BHS) to the East Humboldt Range (EH) and augmentation to the Ruby Mountains (RM). Persons consulted: Peregrine Wolff, DVM; Jim Nelson, DVM; Dan Lavach, DVM; Dennis Wilson, DVM; Sri Srikumaran, PhD; Caleb McAdoo, NDOW big game biologist for Area 10; Mike Cox, NDOW Big Game Staff Biologist, Plan: 1. Depopulate the EH range of BHS by trapping and transplanting ewes to the RM, Trap and submit any rams to research facilities, Lethal removal of any further BHS left in the EH after this attempt. Ewes moved to the RM will be collared. 2. Repopulate the EH with Alberta BHS. All Alberta sheep will be tested for pathogens, blood drawn for serology, and collared prior to release. 3' The Albeda BHS will be intensively monitored over the course of the next 3-5 years, 4' The offer from Alberta is time-limited and may not occur again. 5' Albefta Fish and Game is aware of our unique concerns, and supports the concept: a, Removal of all BHS from the EH prior to introduction b' Understanding that Mountain Goats and other potential vectors will be present, 6. Concept to transplant Alberta Sheep into the EH supported by key NDOW personnel, Concerns: 1' The EH and the RM are a continuation of the same mountain range, separated by Secret Pass' BHS and Mountain Goat (MG) migration can occur between these two ranges, 2. It is possible that not all BHS will be eliminated from the EH. 3. MG will be present both in the EH and RM, MG are potential carriers of the following BHS pathogens: Mycoplasma ovipneumonia; Mannheimia haemolytica; Bibersteinia trehalosi, These are the three big players when discussing infectious BHS and MG pneumonia' MG and BHS interactions, although unusual, have been seen and include nose-to-nose contact and licking behavior, Page 1 of 4 Nevada Bighorns llntimited-reno $portsmen working for the future of Nevadars wildlife

18 Non-Profit Tax Exempt td 88-O{80276 NEVADA_BIGHOR\IS UNLIMITED P.O. Box Reno, Nevada 895{ Phone & Fax ( www. nevadabig horns.org 4. Even though ewe migration is thought to be minimal between EH and RM, ram migration (especially young rams) could be a potential problem. It is unknown when or to what degree young rams might decide to migrate from the RM to the EH and visaversa, 5. Currently, it is thought that there are anywhere from 5-10 adult BHS rams in the RM. Collaring as many of these rams as feasible would be very helpful to determine migration patterns, especially potentially to the EH and to allow for intervention if migration occurs, 6, The use of domestic goats for weed control on private property in the EH, and the use of domestic goats and llamas for pack animals in the EH is still an unresolved potential problem and should be addressed. 7. Farm flocks of domestic goats and domestic sheep pose a potential threat if they become lost or feral, Owners of these flocks need to be educated as to the ramifications if their animals become feral or lost. 8, Cost for this trap and transplant effort, along with monitoring could be in the range of $100,000 for the first year. 9, Comments from Dr. Wolff: Migration patterns of BHS between the EH and the RM are not well defined, pafticularly with young rams. The signiflcance of MG as carriers of BHS disease, pafticularly Mycoplasma, is also not well defined. Both of these factors could impart risk to the project and need to be strongly considered, If this project is to proceed, then treat it as a true experiment with defined parameters, methodology, follow-up, and due diligence over the course of a number of years, with set goals and expectations, 10. Comment from Dr. Sri: It would be best to vaccinate the Alberta BHS against Mannheimia haemolycia before they were released into this environment. This vaccine is still 3-5 years out, still in the development phases. Concerns over MG transmission of disease to BHS, migration patterns of BHS resulting in potential disease transmission: "Concerns are justified", 11. Concern about potential backlash (both from the public and scientific communities) if this experimental introduction of BHS is a failure. 12. Make sure that funding and manpower are available to obtain the best possible scientific results from this project. This means commitment from both NGO's (NBU and others) and NDOW for a multi-year commitment. Page 2 of 4 Nevada Bighorns Unlimited-Reno Sportsmen working for the future of Nevada's wildlife

19 Non-Profit Tax Exempt td NEVADA_BLGHoRNs UNLIMITED P.O. Box 2{393 Reno, Nevada {393 Phone & Fax ( Jt't77 wwvv. nevadabighorns.org Needs: If this project is to proceed, the following need to occur: 1. Definition of scientiflc protocol for this project. a, Clearly defined goals of project b, Measurable parameters c, Time line for results d, Follow scientific protocol, scientific method 2. Commitment from NGO's (NBU and others) and NDOW to follow through with appropriate funding and manpower to obtain the kind of results needed, 3. Public awareness prior to the introduction: a, Clearly define goals b, Clearly define risks c, Clearly outline effort made to clear out carrier BHS from the EH prior to introduction of Alberta sheep, d, Clearly outline i. Best case scenario (all Alberta sheep survive, experimental data is helpful and clearly outlines stated objectives) ii' Mid level scenario (some fatalities, some sick Alberta sheep, experimental data is helpful for future projects) iii. Complete failure (death of all Alberta sheep, unable to retrieve meaningful scientific data) e' Woolgrowers and other sheep/goat producers, cattle grazing permit holders in the project area, and adjacent property owners informed of the project, i' Understanding that inherent risks are present (MG and migrating BHS) ii, Asking for cooperation with following all Best Management Practices regarding interactions between domestic and wild sheep and goats, Page 3 of 4 Nevada Bighorns Unlimited-Reno Sportsmen working for the future of Nevadars witdlife

20 Non-Profit Tax Exempt rd 88-O{80276 NEVAD- -A-B-I_G-HORNS UNLIMITED P.O. Box Reno, Nevada 895{ Phone & Fax ( Ywrvw. nevad a b i g h o rn s. org If the above listed Needs are met, and the project is carried out with the professionalism and due diligence expected of NDOW, NBU and other NGO's on this issue, then we can suppott the transplant of Alberta sheep to the East Humboldt Range and augmentation of the Ruby Mountain Range. Prepared and presented to the NBU Board of Directors by: Dan Lavach, DVM Jim Nelson, DVM Dennis Wilson, DVM Sincerely, 7l Cr-- /v-- Dennis R. Wilson, DVM Vice President Nevada Bighorns Unlimited Page 4 of 4 Nevada Bighorns Unlimited-Reno Sportsmen working for the future of Nevadars wildtife

21 ATTACHMENT # 5 Progress report Heritage # Respiratory Pathogens and Kid Survival in Mountain Goats after a Pneumonia Die-off in Bighorn Sheep Progress Report #1 Wildlife Heritage Trust Fund Project #14-05 Background Respiratory pathogens have been associated with all age die-offs followed by years of little to no lamb recruitment posing a major threat to recovery efforts of bighorn sheep. Bighorn sheep on the Ruby and East Humboldt mountain ranges of northeast Nevada suffered a bacterial pneumonia die-off in the winter of Animals tested positive for the respiratory pathogens M. ovipneumoniae, M. haemolytica and B. trehalosi. On the East Humboldt Mountains more than 100 bighorn sheep out of a population of 180 died, and the rest were relocated to the Ruby Mountains. Preliminary data suggest mountain goats may also be negatively impacted by these pathogens. During the die-off in bighorn sheep, one mountain goat that died had pneumonia and several mountain goats tested positive for respiratory pathogens, including M. ovipneumoniae, B. trehalosi and Mannheimia haemolytica. In 2013, 20 healthy Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep were captured, sampled for respiratory pathogens, marked, and reintroduced to the East Humboldt mountain range. A population of approximately 100 mountain goats continues to inhabit the East Humboldt Mountains. Prior to the die-off, the mountain goat population was increasing, however recent fall surveys of mountain goats, documented low kid:adult ratios indicative of poor recruitment. We suspect this poor recruitment is due to the persistence of respiratory pathogens in adult mountain goats following the die-off. Studies have demonstrated that respiratory pathogens persist in bighorn sheep that survive pneumonia outbreaks and are transmitted to lambs resulting in several years of poor recruitment. Goal and Objectives The goal of this project is to identify respiratory pathogens in bighorn sheep and mountain goats in the East Humboldt mountain range of Nevada and determine if they negatively impact offspring survival and thus threaten population viability. Objective A. Identify respiratory pathogens in mountain goats and determine if they are closely related to those identified in bighorn sheep. Objective B. Determine if respiratory pathogens negatively impact kid survival and spread to reintroduced bighorn sheep negatively impacting lamb survival. Progress to Date Objective A. Identify respiratory pathogens in mountain goats and determine if they are closely related to those identified in bighorn sheep. A graduate student, Chris Anderson, began working on his Masters degree in Wildlife Ecology in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management at Iowa State University in August He has been working in the lab of Dr. Paul Plummer in the College of Veterinary Medicine to learn techniques for isolating and identifying bacterial pathogens from samples collected from mountain goats and bighorn sheep. He has been developing skills in performing bacterial culture, MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight) mass spectrometry, and PFGE (pulsed field gel electrophoresis). 1

22 ATTACHMENT # 5 Progress report Heritage # Chris has analyzed 143 isolates from Utah (n=1), Colorado (n=38), and Nevada (n=104) for respiratory pathogens since August The Colorado isolates arrived on blood agar plates, were passaged and frozen. All other isolates arrived as swabs in port-u-cul tubes. Swabs were streaked on four different agar plates to promote diverse species growth, up to four single colonies were pulled from each plate and identified using MALDI-TOF. All isolates were inoculated on 10% brain heart infusion (BHI) agar plates for maximum growth, incubated for hours, and mixed with buffer solution (2 milliliters). One milliliter of the bacteria solution was added to 0.5 milliliters of glucose and frozen for future analysis. Using MALDI-TOF, most isolates were identified as Bibersteinia trehalosi (n=58) or Mannheimia haemolytica (n=32). In addition, Chris recovered M. varigena, M. glucosida, and M. ruminalis from some samples. MALDI-TOF has many benefits including more accurate and rapid identification and sub-typing capabilities compared to more traditional methodologies. For example, MALDI-TOF is showing promise in discriminating among strains (Figure 1). Such discrimination may allow us to detect movement of strains between species or geographic locations, for example between mountain goats in the East Humboldts and the reintroduced bighorn sheep from Alberta. Objective B: Determine if respiratory pathogens negatively impact kid survival and spread to reintroduced bighorn sheep negatively impacting lamb survival. Prior to starting as a Masters student at Iowa State University, Chris Anderson worked for the Nevada Department of Wildlife during summer 2013 as a technician conducting a pilot season of field observations of mountain goat behavior and monitoring for signs of respiratory disease in kids. Chris 2

23 ATTACHMENT # 5 Progress report Heritage # conducted observations in the East Humboldt mountain range, recording group sizes, behavioral observations, and signs of respiratory disease in mountain goat kids. Chris and others collected over 75 hours of behavioral data from 721 mountain goat observation events from late May through August. The majority of observations were of nannies and kids. Animals were recorded as: resting, playing, following, suckling/grazing, or alone (Figure 2). Animals were most active early and late in the day, and were often observed bedded on snowfields or under cliffs in the middle of the day. The maximum group size observed was 35, but generally was less than 10 animals. Groups were highly variable in composition; nursery groups separated and merged continuously which presented difficulty in repeatedly identifying unmarked individuals. Billies were often solitary, remaining in northern East Humboldts from Smith Lake to Birdeye Lake. Groups containing both males and females became more common in late summer. Mountain goat observations were grouped by time period to determine minimum unduplicated population counts for 6 time periods over the summer. Resulting kid/100 nanny ratios were: (6/2-6/4), (6/8-6/11), (6/25-6/27), (7/14-7/16), (7/29-7/31), and (8/7-8/13) (Figure 3). 3

24 ATTACHMENT # 5 Progress report Heritage # Sick kids were observed five times between August 5th and 15th. Clinical signs observed were: lethargy, coughing, head shaking, nasal discharge, droopy ears, and walking with head down. In addition, kids appeared depressed, some were abandoned, were observed scratching their ears, and nursing later in the season than healthy kids. Future plans prior to commencement of fieldwork in summer 2014 Objective A. Identify respiratory pathogens in mountain goats and determine if they are closely related to those identified in bighorn sheep. Chris, the graduate student, will continue to work in Dr. Plummer s lab to further analyze the isolates from bighorn sheep and mountain goats. A subset of the isolates has been selected to compare PFGE and MALDI-TOF techniques in the future. He will also continue to evaluate the ability of MALDI-TOF to discriminate among isolate strains. Objective B: Determine if respiratory pathogens negatively impact kid survival and spread to reintroduced bighorn sheep negatively impacting lamb survival. Experiences during the summer 2013 pilot field season will be used to refine protocols for the summer 2014 fieldwork. For example, the dynamic nature of the mountain goat groups made it impossible to reliably identify unmarked animals over time. Drawing inferences regarding behavioral time budgets from repeated observations of unmarked animals is unreliable because it is not possible to determine if you are observing the same animal repeatedly or many different animals. Therefore, behavioral 4

25 ATTACHMENT # 5 Progress report Heritage # observations in 2014 will focus on marked (ear tagged) animals. A detailed (week-by-week) field protocol will be developed that budgets time for repeated behavioral observations of marked animals to document associations between behavior and disease as well as repeated surveys of the entire population to document signs of disease and estimate changes in kid:nanny ratios. Datasheets developed and field-tested in summer 2013 will be revised and improved for use by the graduate student and technicians in summer