{"id":2186134,"date":"2025-03-18T06:00:59","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T05:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/?p=2186134"},"modified":"2025-06-28T10:33:26","modified_gmt":"2025-06-28T09:33:26","slug":"cwd-suspected-in-dead-elk-at-wyoming-feedground","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/cwd-suspected-in-dead-elk-at-wyoming-feedground\/","title":{"rendered":"CWD Suspected in Dead Elk at Wyoming Feedground"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this year, two elk tested positive for chronic wasting disease on the Dell Creek Feedground near Pinedale, Wyoming. Since then, the situation has escalated. In late February, Wyoming Game and Fish personnel discovered a deceased bull and cow elk on that same feedground.<\/p>\n

Game and Fish biologists collected a sample from the bull that subsequently tested positive, Raegin Akhtar told Mountain Journal, however the cow carcass was too scavenged to obtain a sample for testing so it\u2019s unclear if the cow had contracted CWD.<\/p>\n

This brings the total number of CWD detections at the Dell Creek feedground to as many as four following the first detection on the Scab Creek feedground earlier this winter.<\/p>\n

The arrival of CWD at feedgrounds represents a critical juncture for wildlife management in Wyoming. The concept of artificial feedgrounds, created over a century ago to prevent elk starvation as their habitat was developed, now concentrates high elk densities during winter months in the same areas year-after-year\u2014likely accelerating disease transmission, wildlife experts say.<\/p>\n

Unlike brucellosis, which is also present in elk on feedgrounds, CWD is always fatal to elk, deer and moose. The average elk lives on average 1.5-2.5 years after infection before succumbing, and infected animals can spread the disease for years before showing any symptoms.<\/p>\n

“The one thing we know is based on the setup of feedgrounds we have now, the prevalence [of CWD] will increase faster than it would in a natural setting\u2014it’s just a matter of how fast,” said Samantha Allen, state wildlife veterinarian for Wyoming.<\/p>\n

\"Elk
Elk on feedgrounds behave differently than elk in the wild because they\u2019re densely gathering over longer periods of time and over consecutive years. Photo by Chris Martin\/WGFD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The disease’s reach is already extensive. Justin Binfet, deputy chief of wildlife for Wyoming Game and Fish, told Mountain Journal CWD has been detected in 22 of 34 defined elk herds statewide, and in 35 of 37 mule deer herds.<\/p>\n

“CWD in and of itself remains one of the biggest concerns we have with managing wildlife populations, particularly deer, into the future,\u201d Binfet said. \u201cThere are places throughout the state where prevalence in mule deer has gotten to the point where there are population impacts. We consider it to be an added source of mortality for deer.”<\/p>\n

Wildlife managers face a complex issue. Shutting down feedgrounds could push hungry elk onto private lands and potentially spread brucellosis to livestock. And continuing to operate them will likely accelerate CWD transmission, according to a recent U.S. Geological Survey study.<\/p>\n

\u201cCWD is one challenge on these feedgrounds,\u201d Allen said. \u201cWe definitely do need to make some changes going forward, but we have to factor in other things like brucellosis. We\u2019re not just dealing with one disease; we\u2019re dealing with multiple, and with far-reaching implications.\u201d<\/p>\n

Binfet said the recent cases on Dell Creek Feedground are noteworthy. \u201cThis year marked the first time we\u2019ve had CWD-positive elk found dead on feedgrounds,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s certainly not surprising; we\u2019ve been expecting this and planning for it, but we simply don\u2019t know what\u2019s going to happen and that\u2019s important to note.\u201d<\/p>\n

CWD has been detected in 22 of 34 defined elk herds in Wyoming, and in 35 of 37 mule deer herds statewide.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Aside from continuing to develop Feedground Action Management Plans, there are a few changes taking place given the increase in cases. Binfet said extra vigilance is critical. One course of action is re-engaging with elk feeders on feedgrounds and encouraging the privately contracted feeders to keep an eye out for sick looking elk. There\u2019s also been a more robust response to euthanizing elk that display symptoms of the disease, which he said is challenging since it\u2019s not always clear what an animal\u2019s symptoms indicate.<\/p>\n

Allen says elk on feedgrounds behave differently than elk in the wild because they\u2019re densely gathering over longer periods of time and over consecutive years. Naturally, elk move around more than they might on feedgrounds, and multiple animals testing positive in one area is an indicator that transmission has been setting in for more than a year.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs of right now we know what we know,\u201d Allen said. \u201cI’m kind of bracing myself to see what the next couple of months are going to show. The situation is further along than we thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the disease poses no known risk to livestock or humans, it\u2019s potential impact on Wyoming\u2019s elk populations \u2014 if anything can be learned from mule deer \u2014 could be devastating.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we talk about epidemiology curves, you don\u2019t typically see that in CWD. It\u2019s not a typical pathogen, it just keeps spreading,\u201d Allen said. \u201cIt\u2019s a straight line increasing. How fast it increases depends on so many things.\u201d<\/p>\n

CWD is caused by misfolded proteins called prions found in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Research has shown, according to Binfet, that when infected tissue passes through the GI tract of an animal, like a predator eating a carcass, the majority of the prions are denatured.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, the potential for a predator to consume and then spread the disease is very low, it\u2019s not considered a significant concern,\u201d he said, adding that the agency is monitoring the situation. \u201cThere’s an absolute species barrier to CWD. No other species outside the deer family have been known to be infected in the wild. There is no plan to stop feeding on feedgrounds altogether.\u201d<\/p>\n

This article <\/a>by Sophie Tsairis was first published by Mountain Journal on 12 March 2025. Lead Image: Feedgrounds under fire: As CWD cases expand in Wyoming, biologists are concerned that new detections at elk feedgrounds will increase. Photo courtesy WGFD.
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