The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is considering how it is managing the state’s winter elk-feeding grounds; in part as it considers the growing risk of infectious diseases. Game and Fish Spokesman Mark Gocke, says it’s important to address the threats of chronic wasting disease at feedlots, where large numbers of animals congregate in close quarters.
“It has been spreading across the state, and so we want to plan for that. As it is always fatal for the animals that get chronic wasting disease, which means it could potentially be population limiting,” he said.
Gocke says there are currently no cases of chronic wasting disease on the state’s 22 winter feeding grounds, but mule and whitetail deer populations have seen major outbreaks in southeastern Wyoming and the disease is spreading westward. Game and Fish is looking for public input as it seeks to revise the feeding plan.
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