We are happy to report that chronic wasting disease (CWD) was not detected in any white-tailed deer samples we tested in 2022!
CWD is a fatal, untreatable brain disease that affects members of the deer family. It has not been detected in Ontario wildlife, but it has been found in 30 U.S. states, Alberta, Manitoba, Québec and Saskatchewan. If CWD enters Ontario, it would harm wildlife and the economy.
In 2022 we tested 646 samples from deer in southern, southwestern and eastern Ontario. The number submitted by hunters increased this year compared to the 549 samples tested in 2021 but is still below our target. We want to thank all the hunters that took the time to submit samples this past season. On-going hunter participation is critical to ensuring CWD is detected early if it enters the province!
| We are also working on a project to better understand white-tailed deer movement and social activity. This information will help us predict how CWD could spread in Ontario. The findings of this study will improve the ministry’s ability to respond if a confirmed case is found.
To date we have GPS collared 115 deer of all ages and both sexes to gather a full representation of the population. Data from the collars will help researchers better understand deer’s movements and habitat use over time. The collars are also used to study contact rates between deer in different areas. Contact between individual deer is one of the most important factors that increases the spread of infectious diseases like CWD. We are also collecting tissue and hair samples to help us understand if family relatedness affects how they interact. Learn more about CWD and how you can help. |