CWD testing is going well, but we need your help to provide samples!
As a result of two confirmed cases of CWD in the Kootenays in early 2024, more wildlife management units were added for mandatory submission of heads and restrictions placed transportation of deer, elk and moose parts.
Progress is being made:
- Head submissions are way up
- New transportation laws are generally being followed
- Turn-around time on sample results is greatly reduced
- No more positive CWD results have been found!
Province wide, 1052 samples were submitted for testing between August 1, 2024 and October 21, 2024, with 807 confirmed negative and the remainder pending results. As expected, most of the samples have come from the Kootenays (953) and most have been elk, followed in order by white-tailed deer, mule deer and lastly moose. More samples are needed from the Peace Region and from the western management zones in the Kootenays (see links to resources below).
A new genetics-based CWD project had been launched by Genome BC and led by Dr. Kaylee Byers from Simon Fraser University and Cait Nelson, BC government’s wildlife health biologist. Dr. Byer’s group will use genomics to gather information about deer populations in the affected region that will be used to inform monitoring and targeted responses.
The goal is to develop genomics-based tools that can supplement other data such as GPS collar data to help monitor deer populations and understand their movements and interactions and aid in the prediction of where the disease is most likely going to spread to. Also, there is some evidence that the DNA composition of deer is related to the susceptibility of an individual to CWD, and this project hopes to grow the understanding of that possibility.
The BC Government is requesting specific harvest locations for hunter harvested animals that were submitted for CWD testing. This information will help get a better picture of the distribution of negative and positive cases. Harvest locations will be kept confidential and the BCWF asks for your cooperation with this important initiative.
Access the online tool for submitting harvest locations through GeoBC.
The BC government’s wildlife health CWD webpage has great information for the public about CWD and how to submit samples for testing.
The BCWF continues to support the government’s education and outreach efforts by hosting webinars and providing information through member updates and our social media channels.
More information on CWD: Chronic Wasting Disease | B.C. Wildlife Federation
