But worry has grown in recent months with the revelation that CWD exists in captive elk herds in Colorado, as well as other states and Canadian provinces. In December, a Canadian federal agency ordered the slaughter of 1,700 elk on six Saskatchewan farms. DOW plans to kill and test a number of wild deer and elk near the Del Norte site. A total of 1,300 captive animals are likely to be destroyed. Owners will be compensated under a special federal aid program.
Detection comes only from the examination of the heads of dead animals.
Meanwhile, DOW is taking steps to limit the disease among wild animals through herd reduction and research. Pursuing a theory that herd density may be a factor in the spread of CWD, wildlife officials approved an unlimited deer hunt in unit 9 from Nov. 15-Feb. Either sex licenses will be issued through DOW's Fort Collins office. Since all land in the unit is private, hunters must present a certificate of landowner permission when obtaining a permit. Successful hunters must deliver the heads of animals to designated sites for testing.