The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has detected the presence of chronic wasting disease in an adult female elk from Elk Hunt Area 98. The elk was found dead on the Scab Creek feedground at the end of December. Department personnel investigated and removed the carcass after sampling the elk. 

Elk Hunt Area 98 is located in the Pinedale region and is bordered by three CWD-positive elk areas: 28, 92 and 127. This is the third documented case of CWD in the hunt area and the first confirmed case of an elk testing positive on a feedground. 

The disease is 100% fatal to infected deer, elk and moose. Continued monitoring of CWD over time is important to help Game and Fish understand the potential impacts of the disease, as well as evaluate future management actions. Department personnel will continue to closely monitor feedgrounds for elk showing signs of CWD. 

Scab Creek feedground will be included in the Department’s first Feedground Management Action Plan (FMAP) process this year. This process will explore both long-term and short-term opportunities to reduce elk reliance and disease transmission risks on feedgrounds.

Please visit the Game and Fish website for more information on chronic wasting disease testing, transmission and regulations on transportation and disposal of carcasses.

 – WGFD –