JACKSON, Wyo. — Wildlife officials have announced that chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in an elk on the National Elk Refuge.
A news release from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) on Monday stated that the National Elk Refuge biological staff has humanely euthanized and sampled an adult female elk that was suspected of having CWD. The neurological illness was detected within Wyoming Elk Hunt Area 77 on the elk refuge, which is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“Tests conducted at the Game and Fish Wildlife Health Laboratory confirmed a positive case,” reads the statement. “All CWD samples, including those collected on the refuge, are sent to the Game and Fish health lab for processing.”
This is the first documented case of CWD in the hunt area. According to WGFD, it is the first confirmed case of an elk with CWD on the refuge.
The National Elk Refuge staff plans to increase monitoring and surveillance of herds. WGFD said the refuge team also will “reevaluate some existing programs and implement additional bio-security protocols to keep people and wildlife safe.” Details for next steps are included in the National Elk Refuge Chronic Wasting Disease Response Strategy. Due to this past winter’s mild conditions, elk refuge managers did not conduct any supplemental feeding for elk or bison.
CWD is a fatal disease that affects neurological function in deer, elk and moose. It was recently detected on the Muddy Creek Feedground near Pinedale, and was previously discovered in Jackson’s Deer Hunt Area 150. The Centers for Disease Control recommends hunters do not consume any animal that is obviously ill or tests positive for CWD.
This is a developing story. Buckrail will provide updates as they become available.
