GILLETTE, Wyo. — Wildlife managers have confirmed the presence of chronic wasting disease in the Casper region, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Per Game and Fish, a CWD-positive sample was taken from a cow elk harvested in Elk Hunt Area 23, an area located mostly within the Casper region that is bordered by three other CWD-positive areas: 48, 16 and 19.
According to the release, Game and Fish announces when CWD is found in a new hunt area to make sure hunters are informed. Hunters should not consume any animal that is obviously ill or tests positive for CWD.
A map of CWD-endemic areas is available on the Game and Fish websites. Continued monitoring is important to help wildlife managers understand the potential impacts of the disease and guide future management actions for deer and elk, the department says.
Per Game and Fish, CWD is 100% fatal to deer, elk and moose that have been infected. Last year, over 5,000 deer and elk were sampled thanks to hunter submissions.
