Parasite in YNP can change behavior in wolves, people
From Buckrail:
JACKSON, Wyo. — The parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is present in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and can spread to both canines and humans.
According to a 2022 research article, 51.6 percent of the 62 YNP mountain lions tested positive for T. gondi antibodies, meaning that those animals have been exposed to the parasite. The research also utilized 26 years of gray wolf data to confirm that YNP wolves are exposed to transmission due to their overlap in territory with infected mountain lions. The study confirms the wolves contract the parasite either through direct contact with infected cougars or the cats’ feces.
