(file photo/CKOM News Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Area around the Battlefords, Meadow Lake targeted for CWD testing

Sep 24, 2019 | 2:29 PM

Several wildlife management zones along the boreal forest in Saskatchewan are designated a priority by the province for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing.

The Ministry of Environment and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation are encouraging hunters to submit the heads of all deer, moose, elk and caribou harvested this season for testing. CWD is a fatal, infectious central nervous system disease that has no known cure.

The ministry is looking for submissions from wildlife management zones in the boreal transition zone to evaluate CWD risk to caribou. These are zones 43, 47, 48, 49, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 and 67.

CWD Priority and Boreal transition zone areas in Saskatchewan. (supplied/Ministry of Environment)

Hunters in WMZs 9, 10, 2W, 35 and 37 are strongly urged to submit all mule deer and white-tailed deer heads for testing. The province said long-term monitoring sites are being established in these zones to collect more information about the presence and spread of the disease in certain areas of the province. The ministry is hoping to collect at least 300 samples in each of these zones. The data will help guide future management options.

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Last year, over 2,000 heads were submitted for testing, according to the province. CWD was discovered in provincial game farm animals in 1996.

It transitioned to wild mule deer in 2000 and is now found in deer, elk and moose in 48 of Saskatchewan’s 83 WMZs. With the help of hunters, the ministry has monitored the spread and intensity of CWD for more than 20 years.

Hunters can help reduce the spread of CWD to new areas in Saskatchewan by properly disposing of animal carcasses.

Though CWD has never been identified in humans, hunters are discouraged from eating the harvested meat until they receive their test results.

Prior to dropping off the head, hunters are asked to obtain a CWD tracking number. Heads can be submitted for testing at a number of designated locations across the province throughout the hunting season.

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cjnbnews@jpbg.ca

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