Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in Elk Hunt Area 98
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has confirmed a case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Elk Hunt Area 98. The infected animal, an adult female elk, was found dead at the Scab Creek feedground in late December, Wyoming Game & Fish Department reports.
Department personnel investigated the site, removed the carcass, and conducted sampling that confirmed the presence of CWD. This marks the third documented case of the disease in Elk Hunt Area 98 and the first instance of an elk testing positive at a feedground.
Elk Hunt Area 98, located in the Pinedale region, is bordered by other CWD-positive elk areas: 28, 92, and 127. Chronic wasting disease is a fatal illness that affects deer, elk, and moose.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is actively monitoring feedgrounds in the region for signs of CWD in elk. This effort is part of a broader strategy to understand the disease’s potential impacts and evaluate management actions.
In 2024, Scab Creek feedground will be included in the department’s first Feedground Management Action Plan (FMAP) process. This initiative aims to explore strategies to reduce elk reliance on feedgrounds and minimize disease transmission risks.
For further information about chronic wasting disease, including testing procedures, transmission, and regulations regarding carcass transportation and disposal, visit the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website.
