MADISON (Press Release)
– Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources officials have confirmed that a
Waukesha County deer has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease. This is
the first CWD-positive deer in the county.
"Being
the first CWD positive in Waukesha County is noteworthy but not completely
unexpected," said DNR area wildlife supervisor Tim Lizotte. "Given the
proximity to a CWD-positive deer 16 miles away in Jefferson County, we knew it
was a possibility."
A
portion of Waukesha County is in the existing CWD Management Zone, where DNR
has been performing disease surveillance to better determine its presence and
prevalence. This deer was reported sick-looking to the DNR by a landowner in
the Town of Delafield. Wildlife managers responded and collected samples for
disease testing.
"Sick
deer reporting is the most effective way of detecting disease and removing
disease agents from the landscape," said Lizotte. "We thank the landowner for
contacting us. This cooperation is needed to help identify presence of the
disease and track prevalence."
This
sampling result does not change established hunting seasons nor does it change
the current CWD Management Zone boundary. Baiting and feeding of deer, as well as
deer rehabilitation, is already banned in Waukesha County. However the border
of Washington County is within a 10-mile radius of this new positive, therefore
a baiting and feeding ban will go into effect for Washington County by DNR
Secretary's order prior to the 2013 deer season.
All
CWD samples collected in Waukesha County during 2012 have been processed with
no additional CWD positives detected.
"Future
response to this new positive will be considered once all results from the area
are analyzed. We will keep the public informed and involved as we learn more,"
Lizotte said.
For
more information on CWD in Wisconsin, and to view CWD maps, Click Here
A buck with CWD courtesy Donald Savoy
