In EuropeMycobacterium bovis has been diagnosed in many species of free-living animals. From nature at large game, e.g. infected European bison (Bison bonasus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), wild boar (Sus scorfa), roedeer (Capreolus capreolus), badgers (Meles meles), brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes). In game parks bovine tuberculosis has been demonstrated in the bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus), forest deer and other ruminants. Farmed deer have also been found to be infected with M. bovis, and in a circus bovine tuberculosis had been demonstrated in a camel (Camelus ferus). In zoological gardens the infected species ranged from ruminants to carnivores. In central Europe the situation concerning bovine tuberculosis in cattle and other domestic animals has in essence been stabilized. Therefore, the potential source and vectors of bovine tuberculosis can be seen namely in free-living animals in nature and in animals kept in captivity, i.g. in zoos and deer farms. The infection of humans through contact with infected animals cannot be ruled out, nor with products from them (meat and parenchymatous organs) for culinary processing coming namely from deer and reodeer game animals.

        Key words: Mycobacterium bovis - zoological gardens - game parks - deer farm - wild nature.