Stephen M. Vantassel 

Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC

Lewistown, Montana

Mark A. King 

Maine Department of Environmental 

 Protection

Augusta, Maine

Human-Wildlife Conflicts

Many wildlife management situations 

require the disposal of animal carcasses. 

These can include the lethal removal of 

wildlife to resolve damage or conflicts, as 

well as clean-up after mortalities caused 

by vehicle collisions, disease, oil spills 

(Figure 1) or other natural disasters. 

Carcasses must be disposed of properly to 

protect public sensitivities, the 

environment, and public health. Improper 

disposal of carcasses can result in public 

outrage, site contamination, injury to 

animals and people, and the attraction of 

other animals that may lead to wildlife 

damage issues. 

Concern over ground water contamination 

and disease transmission from improper 

carcass disposal has resulted in increased 

regulation. Successful carcass disposal 

programs are cost-effective, 

environmentally sound, and protective of 

public health. In addition, disposal 

practices must demonstrate sensitivity to 

public perception while adhering to state 

and local guidelines. 

This publication discusses the range of 

options available for the responsible 

disposal of animal carcasses. 

Wildlife Damage Management 

Technical Series

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service

Wildlife Services

July 2018 Wildlife 

Carcass Disposal 

Figure 1. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist 

inspects and removes a dead bird following an oil spill. 

Proper disposal of animal carcasses can help ensure a 

safe environment for people and wildlife. 

Quick Links

Human-Wildlife Conflicts 1

Safe Carcass Handling 2

Disposal Methods 3

Conclusion 7

Glossary & Key Words 8

Resources 9 
Safe Carcass Handling 

Before handling a carcass, ensure that the animal is in fact 

dead. This can be done by careful visual inspection. 

Monitor the animal for 30 seconds to ensure it is not 

breathing. Keep in mind that breathing can be very 

shallow. The animal's muscle tone should be flaccid. If the 

animal meets these requirements, then, with a gloved 

hand, lightly touch the cornea of the animal's eye. Live 

animals will respond, such as by blinking. If no response, 

then you can be reasonably assured that the animal is 

dead. 

Dead animals can expose handlers to infectious diseases, 

ectoparasites, bodily fluids, sharp teeth, and claws. When 

moved, large and heavy carcasses have the added risk of 

causing back injuries to the handler. 

Handlers can reduce their risk of disease and injury by 

following basic biosafety and biosecurity practices. First, 

they should evaluate the situation. The discovery of 

carcasses from unknown or suspicious origins (e.g., mass 

mortalities) should be approached cautiously not only to 

protect personnel, but also to protect evidence for 

investigations. In rare instances, it may be necessary to 

section-off and place caution or warning signs near a 

disposal area to protect the public from unnecessary 

contact. In the case of the discovery of carcasses of 

suspicious origin, such as mass mortalities or mortalities 

involving federally-listed species, immediately contact the 

state wildlife agency and/or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service. 

Second, handlers should wear personal protective 

equipment (PPE). Fresh and intact carcasses minimally 

require thick gloves, long pants, shoes, and a shirt (Figure 

2). Consider additional PPE, such as water-proof shin 

boots, a Tyvek® suit, thick waterproof gloves (or 

waterproof gloves under thick gloves), goggles with dust 

mask, or a face shield when handling putrid or suspicious 

carcasses. Tools, such as shovels and tongs, can help 

increase the distance between the handler and the 

carcass. Properly decontaminate and dispose of used PPE, 

making sure to thoroughly wash hands between disposal 

Page 2 WDM Technical Series—Wildlife Carcass Disposal

activities. Use of insect repellents will help guard against 

ectoparasites.

Small carcasses may be placed in a plastic trash bag 

(industrial strength bags with 3mm thick plastic are 

recommended) or water-tight barrel for transport to a 

holding area or final destination. If carcasses are not 

disposed of that day, it is recommended they be stored in a 

top-loading chest freezer. Use plastic bags or sheets to 

keep carcasses from adhering to the freezer walls and to 

other carcasses. 

Carcasses requiring testing for diseases, such as rabies, 

should be handled in accordance with laboratory 

instructions. 

Figure 2. Handlers should wear personnel protective equipment. Fresh 

carcasses, like this feral swine, require the handler to wear thick gloves, long 

pants, shoes, and a shirt.
Disposal Methods

For many years, carcasses were disposed of through 

various types of burial or by rendering. Rendering is a 

process that converts waste animal tissues and other parts 

into edible and inedible products.

Awareness of prion-based diseases, such as chronic 

wasting disease (CWD) and Transmissible Spongiform 

Encephalopathy, have raised concerns regarding the 

continued use of these traditional methods of disposal. Be 

sure to check state regulations regarding the transport of 

carcasses across county and state jurisdictions particularly 

in areas where prion-based diseases are a concern. 

Threats to groundwater from burial practices, especially in 

areas with shallow water tables, along with allegations of 

declining air quality and public health risks from incinerator 

emissions, have led to new procedures and alternative 

methods whenever possible.

Current disposal methods include the following:

 Aboveground burial (surface disposal),

 composting, 

 belowground,

 incineration, 

 disposal in a licensed landfill, and

 other disposal options. 

Sites where disposal methods involve contact between 

carcasses and native soils should have a soil evaluation. 

An ideal site would contain moderately well-drained soils 

that attenuate leachate (i.e., the liquid resulting from water 

percolating through permeable material) so soil microbes 

can treat it. These methods include, but are not limited to, 

composting, incineration using a trench type air curtain 

burner, and belowground (or burial). Soil evaluations 

should be conducted by a Certified Soil Scientist, such as a 

Natural Resources Conservation Service employee, a State 

Certified Soil Scientist, or other qualified professional.

Disposal sites may be private or registered by the State. 

Contact local and state authorities for information on 

current disposal regulations. It is important to evaluate the 

proposed disposal area using the criteria mentioned 

above. Specifically, each site should be evaluated to 

ensure it meets regulations for disposal activities, potential 

impacts to sensitive areas, such as streams, ponds and 

wetlands, and, most importantly, the presence of adequate 

soils for decomposition.

Aboveground Burial

Aboveground or surface burial (“leaving it lie”) is a 

convenient method of disposal because little to no digging 

is required. The carcass is placed on the landscape to 

decompose naturally and for scavenging animals and 

insects to find. It is gaining popularity as an 

environmentally responsible way to recycle wildlife into the 

ecosystem. 

Unfortunately, the method is not suitable for all carcasses. 

To prevent harm to other animals, do not use aboveground 

burial for animals suspected of diseases. The rabies virus 

can remain viable in a carcass until putrification. 

Do not use aboveground burial for cervids in areas infected 

with CWD. Recent research shows that crows feeding on a 

CWD-infected carcass can transmit the prions to new 

locales through their feces. Likewise, animals treated with 

toxicants should not be disposed of aboveground.

The method also requires a lot of space to prevent 

oversaturation of a given site. Every effort should be made 

to ensure that hikers and pets do not have access to the 

carcasses. 

Another variant of aboveground burial requires the 

excavation of a 24-inch deep trench lined with a 12-inch 

base of carbon, such as sawdust or wood shavings to 

prevent the sideways movement of fluids. The carcass is 

placed on the bed and covered with the loose soil originally 

excavated to form the trench. The pile is finally seeded and 

allowed to sit undisturbed for six months to a year. This 

method is gaining popularity in areas of the country with 

shallow water tables or areas were traditional deep pit 

burial is not feasible.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Page 3
Composting

The most common aboveground disposal practice is 

composting. Composting is a biological process in which 

microorganisms consume organic materials (carbon and 

nitrogen compounds) and produce compost— a nutrientrich, humus-like end product. 

Composting can occur with oxygen (aerobically) or without 

oxygen (anaerobically). Unlike anaerobic decomposition, 

aerobic decomposition is rapid, generates heat, and is not 

as likely to produce noxious odors. 

An active compost pile is a community of living 

microorganisms called microbes. Microbes require suitable 

amounts of moisture, carbon, nitrogen, and unrestricted 

airflow in order to survive and multiply within a compost 

pile. Moisture tends to be the most limiting factor in a 

compost pile, as moisture provides the medium in which 

the compost microbes live. Microbes work best at 55 to 60 

percent moisture. Additionally, the compost blend should 

have a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of approximately 20:1 to 

40:1 to ensure adequate nutrients to support composting. 

Large animal carcasses are ideally suited for composting, 

as the carcass provides much of the nitrogen component 

necessary for the compost mix. Finally, microbes require 

sufficient oxygen levels (minimum 5%) to ensure aerobic 

activity. When a pile is properly balanced and operating 

aerobically, the only outputs are water vapor and carbon 

dioxide. If the pile becomes unbalanced, it may go 

anaerobic, resulting in the release of odors and attraction 

of scavenging animals.

Composting usually occurs in two phases: 1) active, and 2) 

curing. During the active phase, microbes use oxygen as 

they feed on the available organic matter, reducing the 

volume and mass of the original material by as much as 40 

percent. During the curing phase, the microbes still feed, 

but at a slower pace, giving off less heat, water vapor, and 

carbon dioxide. Left undisturbed, the microbes will feed 

until all the organic matter has been consumed. The final 

product, called compost, is highly valued because it is a 

nutrient rich soil amendment that contains organic matter, 

enhanced soil structure, drainage and porosity, and water 

holding capacity. 

An ideal composting site should:

 Be located such that the prevailing wind directions do 

not travel to nearby residences and uninfected farms 

and communities (whenever possible);

 Be located at the top of the slope of the field, on 

Page 4 WDM Technical Series—Wildlife Carcass Disposal

Figure 3. Illustration of carcass location in compost pile.
moderately-well to well drained soils (usually land that 

is used for crop production);

 Have a gentle 2% to 4% slope to encourage on-site 

drainage;

 Contain on-site soil depths or be modified (i.e., create 

a thicker base layer) to be at least 24-inches from 

seasonal high-water tables;

 Contain on-site soil depths in excess of 36-inches from 

bedrock;

 Not be located on a flood plain;

 Have (or construct) diversion ditches, terraces, or 

berms to direct surface water flows and storm water 

away from active compost piles. (Note that if piles are 

located between production houses, then roof and 

surface drainage should be directed away from the 

compost area); and

 Meet state-specific setback requirements, which 

should be no less than:

— 200-feet from a water supply well used for drinking;

— 200-feet from water bodies, including: ponds, 

lakes, streams, rivers;

— 200-feet from a nearby residence (not owned by 

the premises);

— 50-feet from a drainage swale that leads to a water 

body; and

— 25-feet from a drainage swale that does not lead to 

a water body. 

 Meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations 

concerning setback locations from airports. FAA may 

require a site evaluation from USDA Wildlife Services 

particularly when starting a new composting site at a 

landfill or transfer site near an airport.

Carcass Composting

Carcass composting (Figure 3) is a variation of the basic 

composting process whereby the carcass itself provides 

nutrients and moisture to the composting pile. The goal of 

carcass composting is the rapid reduction of a carcass to 

material that is non-hazardous and may be used as soil 

enrichment without generating odors or leachate.

Carcass composting often requires removing several acres 

of land from production. Whenever possible, try and 

choose isolated locations to reduce encounters with pets 

and people, and do not overuse a location. Sites should be 

100 yards from surface water, and at least 100 yards from 

a water supply well. 

Ideal locations are far removed from neighbors who may 

be annoyed with the resulting noxious odors. In field 

situations, where appropriate space and equipment is 

available, composting is an excellent alternative to 

disposal in landfills. Poisoned and diseased animals (or 

those suspected of being diseased) should not be 

composted. 

The process for carcass composting includes the following 

steps:

1) Lay down a bed of carbonaceous materials, usually 18 

to 24 inches in depth, and large enough to surround 

the entire carcass. This initial layer serves as a barrier 

to help absorb any liquids that are released by the 

carcass as it decomposes. 

2) Place the carcass on the center of the bed, making 

certain that none of the carcass extends beyond the 

edge of the bed. In many cases, carcass legs may be 

tied together to help keep the carcass covered as it 

expands during decomposition.

3) Vent the carcass in numerous locations to release 

trapped gasses and allow abdominal contents an 

opportunity to mix with compost ingredients. 

4) Carcasses should be covered with an additional 18 to 

24 inches of carbonaceous material to form a natural 

biofilter that minimizes odors and prevents the 

attraction of scavenging animals. 

5) The finished pile should be conical in shape with steep 

sides to help prevent saturation and accumulation of 

rain and snow (Figure 4). 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Page 5
During composting activities, it is important to periodically 

check the pile to ensure that cracks have not formed in the 

bulking material (e.g., wood chips, leaves, saw dust) as the 

carcass continues to breakdown. These cracks become 

sources for odors and may attract scavenging animals. 

This is especially true during the first week when carcasses 

discharge large amounts of fluid, causing the body of the 

carcass to collapse and fissures to form along the top 

edges of the compost pile. Any and all cracks may be 

repaired simply by using a hand rake or other tool to 

smooth over the disturbed areas. In rare cases, additional 

bulking material may be needed to effectively close 

openings. With the exception of occasional pile 

maintenance, carcass composting is a relatively simple 

alternative to conventional disposal practices.

Belowground, Individual Grave

Belowground disposal conceals the sights and smells of 

decomposition from people and scavengers. The digging of 

graves, however, can become quite laborious or require 

access to large digging equipment, such as backhoes or 

bulldozers. 

For areas inhabited by large carnivores, such as grizzly 

bears, an electric fence around the grave site may be 

necessary to prevent their access to carcasses.

Page 6 WDM Technical Series—Wildlife Carcass Disposal

To ensure proper belowground disposal for individual 

animals, the following conditions must be met:

1) Cover the carcass with at least 12 to 24 inches of soil 

within 24 hours after burial.

2) Do not allow the carcass to come into contact with 

surface or groundwater.

3) Locate the grave at least 200 feet from any 

groundwater well that is used to supply potable 

drinking water.

4) Do not exceed 100 individual graves per acre.

Belowground, Common Grave

To ensure proper belowground disposal for multiple 

animals, the following conditions must be met: 

1) Cover the carcasses with at least 12 inches of soil 

within 24 hours after burial.

2) Do not allow the carcasses to come into contact with 

surface or groundwater. Carcasses cannot be disposed 

of in a 100-year floodplain or wetland area as defined 

by the Solid Waste Management Act.

3) The number of carcasses should not exceed 250.

4) Common graves should not remain open for more than 

30 days.

5) Common graves should have at least 4 feet of soil as 

final cover.

6) Common graves must be located at least 200 feet 

from any groundwater well that is used to supply 

potable drinking water.

7) Do not exceed 5 common graves per acre.

Figure 4. Compost pile (notice steam caused by the heat being generated).
U.S. Department of Agriculture Page 7

Figure 5. Gray wolves feed on a donated deer carcass at the International 

Wolf Center in Minnesota.

Incineration

Incineration refers to the complete destruction of a carcass 

through combustion resulting in ash. There are five basic 

technologies used to incinerate carcasses: standard invessel systems, pyres, air curtain burners, gasification 

(Pyrolysis units), and plasma arc gasification systems. All of 

these incinerators must be approved by state and local 

authorities to burn animal carcasses, due to the toxic 

emissions that may occur. 

With the exception of pyres, incineration methods generally 

require purchasing expensive equipment that may be cost 

prohibitive. In fact, incineration can cost more than 

$0.50 per pound, making it a relatively expensive disposal 

option. 

Incineration has been scrutinized for its high energy use 

and contribution to greenhouse gasses and cannot be 

used for carcasses that have died from certain toxicants. 

Licensed Landfill

Carcass disposal at an authorized landfill may be the most 

cost-effective option. Prior approval from the landfill 

owner/operator is often required. Secure carcasses in 

3mm thick plastic trash bags or other suitable airtight 

containers to prevent noxious odors. Carcasses must be 

disposed at permitted landfills capable of handling solid 

waste. 

One downside of disposing carcasses at landfills is that the 

nutrients from the carcasses are not recycled back into the 

natural environment.

Other Disposal Options 

Some wildlife rehabilitators accept carcasses to provide as 

food to raptors, carnivores (Figure 5), and carrion feeders. 

Conclusion

Proper disposal of carcasses protects the sensitivities of 

the public, reduces the potential for the spread of zoonotic 

diseases, prevents nutrient losses to surrounding soils and 

ultimately, groundwater, and reduces human-wildlife 

conflicts. Failure to dispose of carcasses appropriately can 

cause unwanted media attention and public outrage. 

The overall goal of any animal carcass management plan is 

to ensure clean, safe disposal of all materials in a manner 

that protects human, animal, and environmental health.
Page 8

Acknowledgements

Figure 1. Photo by Ashley Spratt, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Figure 2. Photo by USDA Wildlife Services

Figure 3. Illustration by Josh Payne, USDA 

Figure 4. Photo by Josh Payne, USDA

Figure 5. Photo by Wikimedia Commons

Glossary

Carcass: The dead body of an animal.

Compost: A mixture of decayed or decaying organic matter 

used to fertilize soil. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Equipment worn to 

minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious injuries 

and illnesses. 

Key Words

Carcass, Composting, Personal Protective Equipment

Disclaimer

Wildlife can threaten the health and safety of you and 

others in the area. Use of damage prevention and control 

methods also may pose risks to humans, pets, livestock, 

other non-target animals, and the environment. Be aware 

of the risks and take steps to reduce or eliminate those 

risks. 

Some methods mentioned in this document may not be 

legal, permitted, or appropriate in your area. Read and 

follow all pesticide label recommendations and local 

requirements. Check with personnel from your state 

wildlife agency and local officials to determine if methods 

are acceptable and allowed. 

Mention of any products, trademarks, or brand names 

does not constitute endorsement, nor does omission 

constitute criticism. 

Citation

Vantassel, S.M. and M.A. King. 2018. Wildlife Carcass 

Disposal. Wildlife Damage Management Technical Series. 

USDA, APHIS, WS National Wildlife Research Center. Fort 

Collins, Colorado. 10p.

WDM Technical Series—Carcass Disposal
Page 9

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U.S. Department of Agriculture
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