Chronic Wasting Disease in Westside Moose
The following (excerpted) article was posted yesterday by the always excellent Rogue Pundit.
by the Rogue Pundit, November 21, 2008 [here]
A moose with chronic wasting disease (CWD) was discovered last month near Bedford WY-about 40 miles south of Jackson Hole. This was the first case of CWD found west of the continental divide in Wyoming…it was only 10-15 miles from the Idaho border. Needless to say, officials in both states are rather concerned [here].
The discovery last month of a three-year-old female moose just over the border in western Wyoming that tested positive for chronic wasting disease has raised the stakes here in Idaho. …
So far, the 1,000 samples the Idaho Department of Fish and Game takes from big game herds each year have failed to detect the troubling disease.
Though it has been found in deer and elk in many parts of Wyoming and other states, chronic wasting disease is considered extremely rare in moose. According to Wyoming Game and Fish, only three other wild moose in North America have tested positive for the disease, all of them in Colorado.
The agency stated that the inflicted moose did not show any of the clinical signs of chronic wasting disease, except that it was unable stand up.
Actually, the moose couldn’t stand because it was suffering from elaeophorosis-also known as arterial worm disease. The parasite is asymptomatic in its most common hosts, mule and black-tailed deer. However, it can sometimes kill moose and elk. The testing for CWD was simply precautionary.
In light of the discovery, Wyoming biologists will step up their testing efforts in the western half of the state, particularly in the Star Valley area. Officials have noted that the discovery suggests that other deer, elk or moose in the area may be infected, too.
“We will immediately begin to gear up our … surveillance in the Star Valley,” said Tim Fuchs, Wyoming Game and Fish wildlife supervisor for the Jackson Region. …
Now considering that CWD can be spread via saliva, wet or dry…
Many in the conservation community have suggested that the artificial feeding of big game animals—especially prevalent in Wyoming—may be leading to increased levels of chronic wasting disease.
“Diseases spread much more easily when animals are in closer contact,” Smith said.
Still, he said that to his knowledge, no artificial feed sites have ever been closed due to the presence of the disease.
Nevertheless, he said the discovery of chronic wasting disease will put Idaho big game managers on a heightened alert in regards to artificial feeding. Locally, Fish and Game operates just one feeding area for elk midway up the Warm Springs Creek drainage in an area called the Bullwhacker feed site.
And note that the moose in question wasn’t found that far south of the National Elk Refuge, where the following are fed through the winter.
- It is winter range for the largest bison herd (more than 1,000) in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
- It is the world’s largest wintering concentration of elk with national and international significance.
The Refuge is overpopulated with both species; little wonder it allows hunting. CWD would certainly change the dynamics there. … [more]
