Keep an eye open for Chronic Wasting Disease in wildlife
A deadly and degenerative wildlife disease is threatening wildlife around Jackson Hole and Cody.
This comes after reports of two doe mule deer tested positive for carrying Chronic Wasting Disease in April. Another case was detected in Star Valley last February of a doe deer found dead.
The disease is often fatal and attacks the central nervous system of white and mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk and sometimes moose.
Wildlife officials say the Jackson Hole area has gone years without a positive test in Star Valley.
Gregg Losinski Regional Conservation Educator for Idaho Fish and Game said they want people to report any deer that looks sick to Fish and Game.
“So far we have not detected CWD in Idaho, but we are always on the look out for it. CWD is transmitted between animals especially in confined areas. That’s one of the reason’s the state of Idaho does not promote winter feeding operations, we try to keep our animals spread out naturally,” Losinski said.
Medical researchers said there is no proof the disease can be transmitted to humans, but they do not recommend humans eat meat from animals that test positive for the disease.
