Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was confirmed last week in two adult cow elk. The animals were from elk Hunt Area 87 and are the first positive confirmation of CWD in elk in this hunt area and within the Upper Green River Elk Herd.

Both were discovered at Wyoming’s Dell Creek feedground – the first in January and the second in early February, according to a news release. This is the second time elk have tested positive at a feedground. The first occurred back in December at the Scab Creek feedground.

“It is unfortunate and concerning to find CWD on an elk feedground” said Justin Binfet, Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s (WGFD) wildlife division deputy chief.“However, it was not unexpected, given this disease continues to spread throughout the West. In anticipation of the spread of CWD to elk feedgrounds, the department created its Elk Feedground Management Plan, which will guide wildlife managers to work to minimize and mitigate CWD risks and look for long-term solutions to disease transmission on feedgrounds.”

Elk Hunt Area 87 is located in the Pinedale Region, where neighboring hunt areas 84 and 92 already have CWD-positive elk, according to WGFD. 

As GOHUNT previously reported, WGFD and invested stakeholders are in the process of developing the first Feedground Management Action Plans for the Jackson and Pinedale herds. The goal is to come up with long-term and short-term ways to reduce the need for these supplemental feedgrounds in order to decrease disease transmission.

Stay tuned to GOHUNT for further updates.