Chronic Wasting Disease Detected at Devils Tower

Date: November 4, 2015
Contact: Nancy Stimson, 307 467 5283

National Park Service (NPS) veterinarians recently confirmed the presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a buck white-tailed deer at Devils Tower National Monument.CWD is endemic to free-ranging deer populations throughout much of eastern Wyoming, and although this is the first animal to test positive for CWD at Devils Tower, it is not the first case in Crook County.That case was detected only a few miles away, in 2008.

Although hunting is not permitted at Devils Tower, this is the first deer tested from surrounding Hunt Area 1 that has tested positive for CWD. Deer Hunt Area 1 is bordered on three sides by other CWD positive deer Hunt Areas: 2, 3, and 18.

"We will continue to work with our state partners as we monitor deer populations at Devils Tower, and will have suspect animal carcasses tested for CWD. Park visitors are encouraged to report any sick or dead animals to park staff," said Superintendent Tim Reid. Signs of CWD include poor body condition, abnormal behavior, and excessive salivation.

Wyoming Game and Fish Personnel annually collect and analyze more than 1,600 CWD samples throughout the state, but hunters who are unable to participate in the department's CWD surveillance program may have theirdeer, elk or moose tested by contacting the Wyoming State Veterinary Lab at [phone]. Hunters should be aware that it may take a few weeks after their animal is sampled to get their test results.

For more information on chronic wasting disease transmission and regulations on transportation and disposal of carcasses please visit the Game and Fish website at: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Wildlife-in-Wyoming/More-Wildlife/Wildlife-Disease/Chronic-Wasting-Disease/CWD-Disease-Info.

To learn more about Devils Tower National Monument visit www.nps.gov/deto or www.facebook.com/Devils-Tower-National-Monument-Official-NPS-Site or twitter.com@DevilsTowerNM or Instagram at #devilstowernps

-www.nps.gov-

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