B.C. Wildlife Federation Supports Urban Deer Testing for Chronic Wasting Disease

The Province of British Columbia is set to embark on a program aimed at capturing, killing, and testing urban deer in two municipalities. This initiative seeks to determine if chronic wasting disease (CWD) has invaded the city areas. The bold move comes as a critical step in safeguarding wildlife populations and possibly human health.

Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship Announces the Project

In a recent press release, the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship detailed the planned removal and testing operation. This will begin on February 18 and continue through the end of the month in the Kooteney municipalities of Cranbrook and Kimberley.

Understanding Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease, also referred to as CWD or “zombie deer disease,” is caused by deformed proteins called prions. These prions can persist in the environment for long periods, spreading through urine, feces, and bodily fluids of infected deer. Within approximately 18 months of infection, deer exhibit symptoms such as weight loss, excessive salivation, and impaired coordination, ultimately leading to their demise.

First Confirmation of CWD in B.C.

The confirmation of CWD in B.C. came in January 2024 when the first infected deer were identified. The recent discovery has prompted targeted testing in areas close to this initial outbreak.

Targeted Municipalities: Cranbrook and Kimberley

Both Cranbrook and Kimberley have significant urban deer populations living in confined spaces. Due to these conditions, they are considered highly susceptible to the spread of CWD. According to Jesse Zeman, executive director of the BC Wildlife Federation, the situation may already be dire.

“We’ve kind of got a circle around Cranbrook,” Zeman said. “We could be sitting on a major outbreak and not know. The trick now is to find out.”

The Scale of the Operation

While the Ministry has not disclosed specific numbers, Zeman anticipates that more than half of each city’s deer population may need to be tested to establish the prevalence accurately. He suggests this could mean testing well over 100 deer in each municipality. The capture methods might include clover traps, dart tranquilization, or, in extreme scenarios, firearms.

Potential Controversy

Prior efforts to manage urban deer populations in these areas have encountered considerable public opposition. Local residents are often emotionally attached to deer within their neighborhoods. Zeman notes this could transform into a contentious issue, especially given the lack of alternative solutions like effective deer control methods.

“It’s been very controversial,” he explained. “There are people who are very connected with the deer that live in their yard. The flip side to that is, in those cities, they’re managing deer with car bumpers — running them over.”

The Spread of CWD in North America

Chronic wasting disease was first reported in captive deer in Colorado in the 1960s. Since then, it has spread to 25 American states and three Canadian provinces, causing devastating impacts on local deer, elk, moose, and caribou populations.

Research Implications

Kaylee Byers, an assistant professor at Simon Fraser University and leader of a genomic mapping project on CWD in B.C., highlights the importance of this urban deer testing initiative. Byers’ team hopes the data will provide insights into how the disease moves in and out of urban areas, crucial for preventing its spread.

“There’s not really a lot of scientific evidence around scale, the number of removals that is effective,” Byers said. “But you’re definitely dealing in the hundreds.”

The Urgency of Action

The speed with which action needs to be taken is paramount. Byers emphasizes the necessity of quick intervention to protect wildlife populations and possibly human health. Although there have been no confirmed cases of CWD in humans, studies have shown that primates, including squirrel monkeys, can be susceptible to the disease. This lack of human transmission data means the full risk remains unknown.

The Potential Human Risk

Last fall, Byers highlighted the potential future implications if humans were found susceptible to CWD. She suggested that the shift in health could occur decades later, akin to the timeline of mad cow disease, which also spreads via prions.

“We don’t know if it can be passed to people,” she stated. “We just don’t have a baseline.”

Conclusion: Balancing Conservation and Public Sentiment

British Columbia’s approach to tackle CWD in urban deer highlights the complexity and challenge of wildlife conservation. The targeted removal and testing program aims to provide essential data for managing this highly contagious disease effectively. However, it also faces the potential for public backlash, underscoring the need for transparent communication and engagement with local communities.

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