N.W.T. reports suspected anthrax outbreak in Slave River Lowlands bison

Advertisement

Advertise with us

YELLOWKNIFE - The Northwest Territories government says there is a suspected anthrax outbreak among the Slave River Lowlands bison population.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/07/2023 (1139 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

YELLOWKNIFE – The Northwest Territories government says there is a suspected anthrax outbreak among the Slave River Lowlands bison population.

The Department of Environment and Climate Change says 15 bison carcasses were found in the area between Fort Smith and Fort Resolution over the weekend, and test results on the carcasses are pending.

The department says an incident management team is working to rapidly detect and dispose of the infected bison and keep people away from the area.

Bison graze at the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve north of Pawhuska on Aug. 18, 2021. The Northwest Territories government says there is a suspected anthrax outbreak among the Slave River Lowlands bison population. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Tulsa World, Tom Gilbert
Bison graze at the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve north of Pawhuska on Aug. 18, 2021. The Northwest Territories government says there is a suspected anthrax outbreak among the Slave River Lowlands bison population. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Tulsa World, Tom Gilbert

The team will also incinerate or chemically treat the bison and surrounding grass to prevent the spread of anthrax spores.

Anthrax rarely spreads to humans and is almost never transmitted from person to person.

About 95 per cent of all human cases of anthrax result from skin contact with infected animals and, while it can be treated with antibiotics, can be fatal if left untreated.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2023.

Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

Poilievre’s lips moving, but Canadians aren’t interested in what he’s saying

Tom Brodbeck 5 minute read Preview

Poilievre’s lips moving, but Canadians aren’t interested in what he’s saying

Tom Brodbeck 5 minute read Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026

Pierre Poilievre’s biggest political challenge right now isn’t Prime Minister Mark Carney’s popularity.

It’s the fact that he still seems to be campaigning against a political landscape that no longer exists.

More than a year after the 2025 federal election, the Conservative leader is still relying on the same message, the same themes and the same attacks that defined his party’s campaign before voters went to the polls.

And Canadians appear to be tuning it out.

Read
Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026

Development turning long-vacant gas station in Selkirk into commercial hub

By Tiago Resko 2 minute read Preview

Development turning long-vacant gas station in Selkirk into commercial hub

By Tiago Resko 2 minute read Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026

A plot of land that has sat vacant in Selkirk for 30 years is being redeveloped to host new businesses in the heart of the city.

The former gas station site on Main Street — between Rosser and Pacific avenues — will be turned into a commercial hub that will be home to six local businesses, and will be a big stepping stone for economic growth in Selkirk, Mayor Larry Johannson said Thursday.

“For decades this site has been a reminder of what once was. Today, it represents what is possible when investors see the potential of our community and choose to be a part of its future,” he said in a news release announcing the project and Thursday’s groundbreaking.

“This development reflects confidence in Selkirk, our economy and the direction we are heading.”

Read
Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026

Could renewed interest in strategically critical rare earth elements finally make sub-sector profitable?

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Preview

Could renewed interest in strategically critical rare earth elements finally make sub-sector profitable?

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Yesterday at 3:00 AM CDT

Rare earth elements are among the most critical of mined resources for modern economies.

They’re essential in manufacturing specialized magnets used in a host of technologies from wind turbines and electric vehicles to hard drives, smartphones, television screens, and fibre optics. Most notably, however, rare earth minerals are increasingly vital to the defence industry.

These 17 elements — closely related chemically and usually found all together in mineral deposits — have indeed been growing in geopolitical importance as the United States, Canada and other Western nations recognize their dependence on production from China.

It is the world’s largest producer and processor of rare earths, including the most in-demand elements neodymium and praseodymium used to manufacture very light and powerful magnets for an array of technologies, including the most advanced weapons of modern warfare.

Read
Yesterday at 3:00 AM CDT

Today’s horoscope

Georgia Nicols 4 minute read Preview

Today’s horoscope

Georgia Nicols 4 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

MOON ALERT: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The moon is in Libra.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

The day is a mixed bag. For the most part, it’s romantic, friendly, congenial and a great time to socialize with others and enjoy playful activities with kids. Nevertheless, you might meet a real sourpuss or someone who is a wet blanket. Keep things light!

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Read
2:00 AM CDT

Bombers manage to hand Redblacks another loss

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

Bombers manage to hand Redblacks another loss

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 8:35 AM CDT

It looked bad. Real bad.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros made his return to the lineup on Friday night against the Ottawa Redblacks, and he was once again the victim of a blindside hit.

The one he suffered in Hamilton on July 5 appeared relatively modest in comparison and yet, it sidelined him for a month with a neck injury.

So when Redblacks linebacker Lucas Cormier came around the edge unblocked and hammered Collaros from behind in the second quarter, you could hear a pin drop inside Princess Auto Stadium.

Read
Updated: Yesterday at 8:35 AM CDT

Men’s recovery home dedicated to ‘homeless hero’ Faron Hall’s memory

Scott Billeck 14 minute read Preview

Men’s recovery home dedicated to ‘homeless hero’ Faron Hall’s memory

Scott Billeck 14 minute read Friday, Aug. 14, 2026

Faron Hall never got the chance to begin recovery. Once heralded as Winnipeg’s “homeless hero” after twice plunging into the Red River to save strangers from drowning, Hall told St. Boniface Street Links executive director Marion Willis shortly before his death in 2014 that he wanted help for his alcoholism.

Read
Friday, Aug. 14, 2026