Latest news with #CWD-infected
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New feeding law in place to protect WA wildlife
The Brief It is now illegal to feed deer, elk and moose in Washington. The law was put into effect to prevent the transmission of diseases like chronic wasting disease at human-created feeding spots. Exceptions apply to certain agricultural practices or direct authorization from the WDFW director. SEATTLE - New feeding laws have made feeding certain wildlife illegal in Washington as of Saturday, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). A new law preventing the feeding of deer, elk and moose was put into effect by the WDFW in order to protect wildlife health and the spread of diseases including chronic wasting disease (CWD). What we know Under the new rule, it is now illegal to place, distribute, deposit, or scatter feed including, but not limited to, grain, hay, fruits, salt blocks and more to deer, elk and moose species in Washington. It is also illegal to feed any other wildlife if doing so causes deer, elk or moose to congregate in the same feeding area, even if unintentional. Due to this, WDFW encourages residents to remove any items on their property – like bird feeders – that are attracting deer, elk or moose to limit congregation and diseases like CWD. Additionally, baiting deer, elk or moose is now unlawful. Dig deeper CWD is an always-fatal disease in deer, elk, moose and related species, with no cure. It was originally detected in-state in 2024, and has not currently spread outside Eastern Washington, but experts intend for the new feeding ban to prevent the spread of the disease between other populations. CWD can be spread through close contact between animals. When many gather in a feeding area alongside a sick animal, the disease is easier to be transmitted among them. The disease can also be spread through CWD-infected protein particles left behind at feeding sites, leading to the transmission to a different animal visiting the site later. Removing human-created feeding sites aims to prevent the spread of the disease within the species. Big picture view The law does not apply to agricultural practices such as: The cultivation, production and harvest of crops, including but not limited to, fruit, vegetables, hay, and grains. Animal husbandry towards the feeding and care of domestic livestock. Existing but abandoned orchards or similar food sources. Specific WDFW director authorization of the feeding of deer, elk or moose under the following circumstances: Prevention of private property damage Mitigation of population loss is anticipated by predicted upcoming winter mortality. Support a WDFW research or management program. What you can do The WDFW encourages residents to support wildlife in ways other than feeding them, such as participating in their Habitat at Home program, learning about local biodiversity, and by connecting with nature around and outside their homes. Additionally, the WDFW expresses the importance of always observing wildlife from a distance to protect the viewer and the animal, and to better see how it would act naturally without a human present. For more information on the new law, visit the WDFW website. The Source Information in this article came from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Is Tacoma's Teekah Lewis cold case finally coming to a close? Here's what we know Over 100 Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs stores to close, including 8 in WA Marymoor Park announces 2025 summer concert series lineup in Redmond, WA Olympia, WA man dies at Grand Canyon after lengthy hike Washington raising price of Discover Pass To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
This Former Game Warden Could Be the New USFWS Director. Here's His Record on CWD, Wolves, and Grizzlies
When the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee convenes Wednesday to consider the nomination of Brian Nesvik, President Trump's pick to lead the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, expect to hear a lot about his credentials. He's a former Wyoming Game and Fish Department game warden who rose through the ranks to become head of enforcement and then the agency's director. He's a military leader who served 35 years in the Wyoming National Guard, where he did two combat tours. As the nominee to lead the federal agency that manages the nation's wildlife refuges, enforces federal wildlife laws, and administers international treaties like the Migratory Bird Commission, he has specific experiences germane to the job. He also has support from some conservation groups, including the Boone and Crockett Club and Safari Club International. But he doesn't have the support of a number of other conservation groups, including a coalition headed by Western Watersheds Project, who collectively condemn Nesvik for failing to manage chronic wasting disease and for perpetuating what they call Wyoming's persecution of grizzly bears and wolves — two species that would be under his purview as USFWS director. These groups are encouraging senators on the committee to grill Nesvik about his inaction to stop feeding elk through the winter, a century-long practice in Wyoming that unnaturally concentrates elk and makes them susceptible to diseases. A panel of scientists recommended in 2023 that Wyoming Game and Fish consider alternatives to elk feeding out of 'an abundance of concern' that CWD might spread among concentrated elk. That's precisely what happened, and this winter CWD-infected dead elk have been found on four Wyoming feeding grounds. The disease is closing in on the USFWS-managed National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, and conservationists worry that once elk disperse from the feedgrounds next month they'll become vectors in a worst-case scenario, carrying the disease to Yellowstone National Park and then into Montana and Idaho herds. 'Under Nesvik, the Game and Fish Department's own report openly acknowledged what a problem the feed grounds were and are,' says a Wyoming Game and Fish wildlife biologist who didn't have permission to speak on the record. 'If his job was to be a leader, then he would have gotten serious about phasing out feeding. We've been warned for decades about the risk of feeding and have done nothing.' Nick Gevock puts a sharper point on Nesvik's inaction on phasing out feedgrounds and what he calls Wyoming's 'war on predators.' 'Every decision out of Wyoming Game and Fish caters to two constituencies, hunting outfitters who want to sell trophies and ranchers,' says Gevock, Northern Rockies field organizer for the Sierra Club. 'The entire feedground model is designed to keep elk out of ranchers' hay in the winter but ensure they have enough bulls for outfitters to sell in the fall. More significantly for his role at USFWS, it's a tendency to favor politics over science.' Nesvik is also likely to get questions about predator management if he's confirmed as USFWS director. Wyoming has two legal classifications for gray wolves. In the area around Yellowstone National Park, the predators are considered trophy animals and can be hunted with managed permits and harvest quotas. In the rest of the state wolves are considered vermin and can be shot on sight. Last year, Wyoming's wolf management was in the news when a Daniel man disabled a wolf in the predator zone by running it over with a snowmobile, then bringing the wounded wolf into a bar before eventually killing it. A bill that would have outlawed running over wolves with snow machines failed this year in the Wyoming legislature. Wolf management across the country is likely to be a high priority for the USFWS under its next director. So will grizzly bear management, especially if calls to remove grizzlies from endangered species protections are successful. Wyoming's legislature considered a bill this session that would have added a coupon to elk licenses to take a bonus grizzly, once the bears are delisted. The coupon legislation ultimately failed. 'Wyoming treats grizzlies like vermin, and Nesvik not only comes from that basis but could be in a position to make it national policy, not only misguided state policy,' says Gevock. Read Next: The Endangered Species Act Has Been 'Warped by Decades of Radical Environmental Litigation,' Says Lawmaker Who Wants to Overhaul It According to sources, other topics Nesvik is likely to face in tomorrow's hearing include his support for National Wildlife Refuge staff and funding, his commitment to continuing research into combating CWD in America's deer herd, and calls for abolishing or reforming the Endangered Species Act. 'There is no way the Senate won't confirm Nesvik,' said one source. 'He has the experience. He has the credentials. I think the committee will be asking how he landed on some of his decisions as agency director, and how they might inform his work at the national level.'
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Chronic wasting disease found in Catahoula Parish white-tailed deer
CATAHOULA PARISH, La. () — is reporting a confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease in a hunter-harvested white-tailed buck in Catahoula Parish. LDWF said this is the first case of CWD confirmed positive in a wild deer outside of Tensas Parish. CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022. LDWF said this latest positive brings the total number of detections for Louisiana to 34. CWD is a neurodegenerative disease of white-tailed deer and other members of the Cervidae family. It is caused by a prion, an infectious, misfolded protein particle, and is 100% fatal in affected deer after an indeterminate incubation period. There is no treatment or preventative vaccine for CWD. CWD-infected deer may exhibit signs of weight loss and emaciation, salivation, frequent drinking and urination, incoordination, circling, lack of fear of people, and always results in the death of the animal. Officials said the confirmation was made for a sample submitted by LDWF staff from a hunter-harvested adult buck taken on private land in Catahoula Parish. Initial testing by the indicated a possible positive diagnosis. LADDL sent the sample to the in Ames, Iowa for confirmatory testing where it was confirmed to be positive. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now LDWF said they are currently working to implement the LDWF CWD response plan, with more information regarding the plan forthcoming. Although CWD has not been shown to be contagious to humans, the and the recommend against the human consumption of deer known to be infected with CWD. Also, it is recommended that people hunting in areas known to harbor CWD-infected deer have their deer tested for the disease prior to consuming the animals. LDWF said they will provide testing for hunter-harvested deer free of charge. LDWF Acting Secretary Tyler Bosworth said, 'We will continue to count on our hunters, property owners, deer processors and taxidermists for their assistance in monitoring CWD as their continued partnership with our department will help to control the spread of CWD in the state and keep our deer population healthy.' Chronic wasting disease found in Catahoula Parish white-tailed deer NFL Draft: How to watch, dates, draft order and potential top picks Lafayette police tactics questioned after viral traffic stop video Remembering fitness legend and philanthropist Lloyd 'Red' Lerille More cat food recalled due to 'bird flu' risk Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Chronic wasting disease found in Osceola County deer
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — has confirmed reports of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a white-tailed deer in Osceola County. MDARD says the disease was found in a seven-year-old deer while conducting a state-wide CWD surveillance program. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose and other . The disease can be transmitted from one animal to another and through the environment. Animals may appear to be healthy for an extended period while infected. Eventually, it will display abnormal behavior, progressive weight loss, and physical debilitation in the later stages of the disease. 'Limiting the spread and impact of CWD on Michigan's farmed cervid herds hinges on the ability to detect the disease early and respond promptly,' said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland. Since 2008, including this new case, CWD has been detected at 16 Michigan deer farms in the following counties: Kent – 2 Lake – 1 Mecosta – 4 Montcalm – 4 Newaygo – 4 Osceola – 1 There have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans. However, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that CWD-infected animals should not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
11-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Deer kept on farm in Osceola County reported to have chronic wasting disease
A new case of chronic wasting disease has been confirmed among a Michigan deer. This latest case, involving a 7-year-old farmed deer in Osceola County, was reported Tuesday by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The discovery came about through the state's surveillance program for privately-owned or farmed deer. "Limiting the spread and impact of CWD on Michigan's farmed cervid herds hinges on the ability to detect the disease early and respond promptly," State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland said in the announcement. CWD is a progressive, fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, moose and related cervid species. An infected animal might appear healthy for a long time, but in the later stages of disease, there will be abnormal behavior, weight loss and physical debilitation. The disease was first noticed among cervid farms in Michigan in 2008, with cases reported in Kent, Lake, Mecosta, Montcalm and Newaygo counties in addition to the new Osceola County case. Cases among free-ranging deer were first reported in 2015, and have since been documented across 14 counties in Michigan. A number of hunting and wildlife regulations are in effect as steps to prevent the spread of the disease. There have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans in Michigan. However, as a precaution, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that CWD-infected animals should not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals.
