In Latest CWD Move, WDFW Bars Region 1 Wildlife Rehabbers From Taking In Deer, Elk, Moose

WDFW is barring wildlife rehabilitators in far Eastern Washington from accepting deer, elk and moose as part of its latest emergency measure to help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease in the state’s big game herds.

“CWD is a highly contagious disease spread through contact between animals or contaminated environments. Moving wildlife to rehabilitation facilities risks spreading disease to uninfected animals and new areas. Most animals infected with CWD do not show outward signs until the final stages of the disease, which may take months to years, during which time the animal can be infecting other animals. Suspending rehabilitation of species that may be infected ensures the disease is not spreading through rehabilitation efforts,” the agency said in a special statement about the change that goes into effect today.

The order covers WDFW Region 1 counties – Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Lincoln, Whitman, Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla – and it appears it will affect two facilities, both of which are on the southern Palouse, according to a website listing all rehabilitators in Washington.

CWD is caused by a malformed prion that causes neurological problems that always lead to death of an infected animal. It can be passed to other deer through contact with bodily fluids such as snot, saliva, blood, pee and poop, or through the dumping of infected carcasses or parts.

So far, it has been found in six whitetails in northern Spokane and southern Pend Oreille Counties since last summer, including five killed by hunters this past fall season.

“The impact of this change will likely be most visible this spring when permitted rehabilitators typically receive young cervids,” WDFW said in the statement.

That’s the time of year when well-meaning people sometimes “fawn-nap” young ungulates, believing they’ve been abandoned by their mother when they actually haven’t.

Other CWD prevention measures taken by WDFW include mandatory testing of all deer, elk and moose harvested or collected as roadkill for salvage in three Spokane-area game management units, bans on the use of cervid-based scents and baiting and feeding wildlife feeding in the same areas, and new carcass transportation rules for all Region 1 GMUs, among others. More measures are likely coming too.