Wolves and ungulates
Wolves are selective hunters and tend to choose younger, older, and debilitated prey animals to increase their chances of success. In herds that have not been exposed to wolves for a time, this can increase the proportion of healthy animals of prime age in ungulate herds, leading to higher pregnancy and birth rates.
The Echinoccus granulosus tapeworm is found almost worldwide in canids, including wolves, dogs, coyotes, and foxes. The eggs of this tapeworm are spread in canid feces. Wild and domestic ungulates (deer, elk, moose, sheep, goats, swine, etc.) are the normal intermediate hosts, carrying a cyst form in their organs. When canids (including dogs) feed on these infected organs, they become tapeworm hosts. (For tapeworm life-cycle information, and recent research on this topic, click here)
Humans are very rarely infected, because they would have to ingest tapeworm eggs in canid feces or drink water contaminated with canid feces. The parasites are highly unlikely to be spread by handling ungulate capes or meat, unless those parts are contaminated with canid feces and handlers do not use good basic hygiene. Likewise, if a pet dog rolled in feces infected with tapeworm eggs, good hygiene is required after handling the dog. Humans cannot be infected by ingesting cysts found in ungulates. These parasitic tapeworms are not wind-born nor transmitted in any way other than direct ingestion of eggs in feces.
"These parasitic tapeworms are not wind-born nor transmitted in any way other than direct ingestion of eggs in feces."
There must be a pile of crap eating ungulates in the lower 48, either that or the environmental group that put this out is full of crap.
