Pinedale Habitat Biologist Troy Fieseler and a volunteer release a newly-collared doe mule deer. (Photo by Chris Martin/WGFD) Elk have a long history showing how tagging technology can be used in innovative ways to learn more about a species. Researchers have used tags to learn more about how the disease brucellosis affects the rate of miscarriage in elk cows. Wildlife managers knew the bacterial malady caused mothers to abort their calves in late winter/early spring prior to complete fetal development. To better understand when and where these events happen, Game and Fish uses vaginal implant transmitters in pregnant elk during winter. The temperature-sensitive VIT device notifies biologists when the cow gives birth as the transmitter falls to the ground and cools. This gives biologists information about the frequency and timing of miscarriage. This is especially helpful because the primary means of brucellosis transmission to elk or livestock is when the animal comes into contact with an infected fetus. "Knowing when and where elk abort their fetuses on the landscape allows managers to implement strategies to reduce elk-fetus and elk fetus-cattle contact rates," Scurlock said. Beyond disease monitoring, collared wildlife can help managers determine losses to populations during harsh winters. Heavy snow accumulations and severe, cold temperatures can have significant impacts to ungulate populations. For example, a pronghorn may struggle to get through deep snow or navigate around 34 | September 2020 A vaginal implant transmitter is recovered from the field. (Photo by Chris Martin/WGFD)