Colorado : Chronic Wasting Disease Found in Three More Elk Outside Established Area
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| Date: December 11, 2002 |
Source: Colorado Division of Wildlife
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Contacts:
Colorado Division of Wildlife |
Three more elk harvested by hunters outside the established area for chronic wasting disease have tested positive.
Chronic wasting disease has been detected in three more elk harvested by hunters outside the established area.
Two of the positive elk were cows. One was taken Nov. 9 in game management unit 181 northeast of Kremmling, and the other was taken Nov. 12 in game management unit 11 northwest of Meeker. A positive bull elk was taken Oct. 6 in game management unit 10 north of Rangely. All are areas where the disease has been found in deer during testing this season.
For more precise harvest location information, see the map on the Division of Wildlife's Web site at http://wildlife.state.co.us/CWD/Detected_CWDMap.jpg indicating where CWD-positive animals have been found.
The Division of Wildlife has notified the hunters who killed the animals, and their license fees will be refunded.
To date, hunters have submitted approximately 23,646 animals for testing and test results have been released on approximately 21,794. From all harvest sources, including hunters, road kills and culling, CWD has been detected in 175 animals, including 46 outside the area of northeastern Colorado (including the most recent positives).
Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological disease of deer and elk that has been found in portions of northeastern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming for more than two decades. State and federal health officials have found no connection between CWD and any human illness. But as a precaution, hunters are advised not to eat meat from diseased animals.
Hunters may submit animals for testing at Division of Wildlife offices around the state and at the offices of some veterinarians. For a complete list of submission sites and for more information about chronic wasting disease, visit the Division's Web site at www.wildlife.state.co.us or call a Division of Wildlife office.
Testing is voluntary for hunters outside the CWD established area in a portion of northeastern Colorado and costs $17. Deer and elk hunters in the established area are required to submit their animals for testing, and the test is free.
To ensure testing accuracy, the animal's head should be kept cool so the tissue sample to be tested is in good condition. Do not allow the head to rest in water and do not freeze the head. Samples that have spoiled cannot be accurately tested.
The Division of Wildlife will call all hunters whose animals test positive. Hunters who wish to see the results for themselves can find them on the Division's Web site. Click on "chronic wasting disease" on the left-hand side, then click on "CWD Test Results" and enter the submission numbers.
Hunters also may check the results for themselves by calling the CWD hot line. The CWD hot line number is (800) 434-0274. Hunters will need the head submission number from the test form to activate the automated response system.
For more information on CWD, testing and the most recent news on the disease, see the Division of Wildlife's Chronic Wasting Disease Web page at http://wildlife.state.co.us/cwd/. |
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