A mountain goat, one of a herd of nine grazing on grasses and lichens on the slope of Point Hope, traverses the wall of a crevice on Saturday, June 3, 2017 near Hope. (Photo by Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

A mountain goat, one of a herd of nine grazing on grasses and lichens on the slope of Point Hope, traverses the wall of a crevice on Saturday, June 3, 2017 near Hope. (Photo by Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

Fish and Game expands monitoring for harmful sheep, goat bacteria

The state is asking hunters to bring in the heads of the animals they’ve harvested this season so biologists can test for a dangerous bacteria.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game plans to expand its monitoring program for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, commonly nicknamed Movi, a bacterium that can cause respiratory illness and death in big game animals such as wild Dall sheep and mountain goats. The bacterium was detected for the first time in Alaska’s wild sheep and goats earlier this year and was recently discovered in wild moose and caribou in the state as well.

Movi has been connected with mass die-offs among big game populations in the Lower 48. Though there has not yet been a confirmed death caused by solely by Movi — the bacterium was associated with the death of an emaciated caribou in the Fortymile herd — the state is planning to step up monitoring efforts to better understand which animal populations may have the bacterium. In a press release issued Friday, Fish and Game asked hunters to bring in the heads of any Dall sheep, mountain goat or Delta bison harvested, and the heads of certain moose, caribou and muskoxen populations for sampling.

“Thanks to hunters willing to bring in the head of harvested animals in those wildlife populations we’d like to sample,” said Director of the Division of Wildlife Conservation Bruce Dale in the release. “We know that hunters understand the importance of disease surveillance and we appreciate their assistance with this effort.”

For best success, heads should be fresh and kept cool but not frozen and brought in no later than two weeks after the animal is harvested. Biologists and staff will take nasal swabs from the animal for testing. Fish and Game is requesting the hunters in some areas to bring in the heads with intact nasal mucosa.

In Southcentral Alaska, the department asks that any roadkill moose be brought in with intact nasal mucosa. The request applies to all Dall sheep and mountain goats, both of which live in the mountain areas of the Kenai Peninsula.

The nasal swabs are part of a larger respiratory disease tracking program, in collaboration with other states and the federal government, which includes monitoring specific Dall sheep and mountain goat populations and investigating reports of sick or dead animals. Not all respiratory illnesses are caused by Movi, and Movi doesn’t necessarily always result in respiratory illness.

“The presence of M. ovi in an animal does not necessarily mean it is sick or will become sick,” the press release states. “The ability of M. ovi to cause pneumonia depends not only upon the strain of the bacteria but more importantly is impacted by multiple stressors on the animal including poor nutritional condition and/or environmental factors such as extreme weather. Both domestic and wild sheep and goats can carry the strains of bacteria they are adapted to while showing no signs of illness.”

Reach Elizabeth Earl at eearl@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Soldotna City Manager Janette Bower, right, speaks to Soldotna Vice Mayor Lisa Parker during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna tweaks bed tax legislation ahead of Jan. 1 enactment

The council in 2023 adopted a 4% lodging tax for short-term rentals

Member Tom Tougas speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tourism Industry Working Group holds 1st meeting

The group organized and began to unpack questions about tourism revenue and identity

The Nikiski Pool is photographed at the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion file)
Nikiski man arrested for threats to Nikiski Pool

Similar threats, directed at the pool, were made in voicemails received by the borough mayor’s office, trooper say

A sign welcomes visitors on July 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward council delays decision on chamber funding until January work session

The chamber provides destination marketing services for the city and visitor center services and economic development support

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Crane sentenced again to 30 years in prison after failed appeal to 3-judge panel

That sentence resembles the previous sentence announced by the State Department of Law in July

Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander sits inside Kenai City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion file)
Ostrander named to Rasmuson board

The former Kenai city manager is filling a seat vacated by former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre

Joe Gilman is named Person of the Year during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gilman, PCHS take top honors at 65th Soldotna Chamber Awards

A dozen awards were presented during the ceremony in the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex conference rooms

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Troopers respond to car partially submerged in Kenai River

Troopers were called to report a man walking on the Sterling Highway and “wandering into traffic”

Seward City Hall is seen under cloudy skies in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward council approves 2025 and 2026 budget

The move comes after a series of public hearings

Most Read