Suspected anthrax outbreak hits Wood Buffalo National Park

A potential anthrax outbreak is being investigated in a remote area of ​​Wood Buffalo National Park. For now, Parks Canada has closed the Sweetgrass and Trident Creek/Trident Meadows areas, as well as an area west of Peace Point, as well as the old Garden River Road.

Park officials were alerted to the outbreak after receiving mortality signals from several bison collars, which showed no activity for 48 hours.

Resource conservation staff conducted a surveillance flight and found seven dead animals. This number has since increased to 47.

Two field tests were conducted for anthrax and both returned positive results. A laboratory is currently confirming the samples in Saskatoon. Parks Canada is still awaiting these results.

Although anthrax has not yet been confirmed, park officials say all the signs are there.

Wood Buffalo Acting Superintendent Jean Morin said based on field testing and similar situations in the past, they can assume the animals died from anthrax.

The Northwest Territories experienced fairly significant anthrax outbreaks in 2012 and 2015.

No threat to the public

Jean said that as well as keeping up to date records of all sightings, they also work closely with indigenous groups in the area.

“If they see something that maybe we didn’t see on our flights,” Jean said. “Working together is going to help us (while we) wait for this cooler weather.”

Bison typically contract the disease from contaminated soil by wallowing in dust baths. Spores thrive in warmer temperatures and fluctuating water levels. Cooler temperatures will kill the spores and slow the outbreak.

Although extremely rare, humans can contract anthrax through contact with infected bison. In a July 19 news release, officials asked anyone who sees a dead bison, alone or in a group, to note its exact location and send it to the Wood Buffalo duty officer.

Since the outbreak is in a remote area, Jean said there is no threat to the public. They have closed roads accessing the area, but all tourist areas in Wood Buffalo remain open.

Parks Canada says anyone attempting to enter the closed area can be charged under the National Parks Act.

On Monday, park staff conducted another surveillance flight and found no new deceased animals.