BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — A parasite that caused a major die-off of mountain whitefish in the Yellowstone Riverhas been found in seven other rivers in Montana.
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports that Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks biologists said Wednesday that the parasite has been confirmed in the upper and lower Madison, East Gallatin, Bighorn, Stillwater, Boulder near Big Timber, Jefferson and Shields rivers.
The parasite killed at least 4,000 whitefish in the Yellowstone River in August.
Other than the major die-off in the Yellowstone, which briefly prompted officials to ban recreation on a stretch of the river from Gardiner to Laurel, no other fish deaths connected to the parasite have been documented this year.
Some whitefish were found dead in the Jefferson River last year, but officials are unsure if the parasite is to blame.
Information from: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com
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