LANSING—Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials announced today that a second free-ranging deer has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), less than a mile from where the first deer was found in the Spring. The fatal neurological deer disease is spread between deer through saliva and other fluids.
“This announcement underscores the importance of cooperating with the DNR’s response plan,” said Dan Eichinger, executive director of Michigan United Conservation Clubs. “If you’re in the CWD zone, don’t bait or feed deer, check your deer this fall, report roadkill and deer behaving strangely, and keep hunting.”
DNR biologists knew this finding was a possibility because the first positive deer, a Meridian Township doe, was pregnant. Once the first deer was found, the DNR implemented its CWD Response Plan, which includes a baiting and feeding ban in a three-county management zone (Clinton, Ingham and Shiawassee) around Meridian Township and a mandatory deer check and aggressive data collection in a nine-township core area. They are also genetically testing the second deer – a two-year old buck – to determine if it was related to the first.
“Finding this second positive deer is disappointing, however, not unexpected,” said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. “We will continue with our aggressive surveillance throughout the summer and fall. With the assistance of hunters, we hope to determine the distribution of this disease.”
To date, 304 deer have been tested in the Core CWD Area. The DNR asks that the public and hunters continue to report deer that are unusually thin and exhibiting unusual behavior (for example, acting tame around humans and allowing someone to approach).
To report a suspicious-looking deer, call the DNR Wildlife Disease Lab at 517-336-5030 or fill out and submit the online observation report, found on the DNR website. DNR staff will continue with road-kill collection in the Core CWD Area. To report road-kills found in the Core CWD Area call the Wildlife Disease Hotline at 517-614-9602. Leave a voicemail with location information and staff will attempt to pick up carcasses on the next open business day.
For more information about CWD in Michigan, visit www.deermichigan.com/cwd-in-michigan.
Founded in 1937, Michigan United Conservation Clubs is the largest statewide conservation organization in Michigan. Its mission is to unite citizens to conserve, protect and enhance Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage.
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