Two more Colorado deer with deadly brain
disease
DENVER -
Two more wild deer from western Colorado have tested positive for a deadly brain
illness similar to mad cow disease, the state's governor said on Tuesday, adding
that containing the disease may involve slaughtering hundreds of the animals.
The disease was first detected in two wild deer about 10
days ago in a captive elk facility in northwest Colorado, sending shockwaves
through the state and prompting the immediate slaughter of 311 wild deer.
State wildlife officials had believed the Continental Divide was a strong
barrier against the disease and would protect the lucrative multi-million dollar
hunting business. The infected deer so far account for less than 1% of the wild
deer population, but the situation was serious enough to prompt Gov. Bill Owens
to create a task force to find ways to make sure the disease does not put
the entire herd in jeopardy.
"This is
an aggressive disease with the potential to change the very characteristics of
Colorado," the governor told reporters at the Division of Wildlife.
Big game hunting accounts for around $600 million in revenues annually,
while the hunting and fishing industry overall is worth $1.7 billion each year.
Wildlife recreation, including viewing and photography, bring in about $3
billion. About 500,000 deer and at
least 250,000 elk, the biggest elk herd in the world, grace the Rocky Mountain
state. Mule deer--the breed
affected--make up part of the wildlife scene in western Colorado. MORE SLAUGHTER
THIS SUMMER
The director of the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Russ
George, said he expects another 300 wild deer to be shot this summer and maybe
even more in the fall during the hunting season because the wild deer in that
area migrate. State game agents
used global positioning technology to track the deer. Thelatest two with the
disease had been about one mile from each other.
The disease is highly contagious. When herds look for food there can be
as many as 300 together, deputy director of the Wildlife Division Bruce
McCloskey said. Chronic wasting disease, which causes the
deer to become emaciated and finally die, should not have any effect on cattle,
George said.
"It does not jump species barriers, including
humans," he said. The World
Health Organization has advised against eating venison or any part of an animal
showing signs of the disease and gaming officials in Colorado suggest hunters
have an animal tested if it is shot in an endemic area in northeastern Colorado
where the disease has existed for years. Owens said he would write this week to
governors in other states where the
disease has been found to ask for help and offer assistance.
He will also propose at the Western Governors conference in June that states
work together to defeat the disease.
Source: Reuters
April 9, 2002
