Wyoming’s first case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in an elk on a feeding ground was identified in late December on the Scab Creek feeding ground in Sublette County near Elk Hunt Area 92. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) described the finding as unfortunate and concerning but not unexpected due to the disease’s spread in the region. To address this issue, the WGFD is developing the first Feedground Management Action Plans (FMAPs) for the Pinedale and Jackson herds to manage CWD transmission and reduce elk reliance on these areas. The department will prioritize developing FMAPs for other herds in the future. CWD is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects cervids like deer, elk, and moose and can spread through environmental contamination. While CWD does not affect humans, there are concerns among experts that it could jump species. The discovery of the disease in an elk on a feeding ground highlights the urgent need for management efforts to prevent further spread and protect wildlife populations in Wyoming.
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