Chronic Wasting Disease Detected at Kerr WMA (TX) captive state whitetail testing area

How do you guys think CWD got into one of Texas's most important Whitetail test program pens? This was the double fenced 23 acre area of Kerr WMA where TPWD have researched native Whitetail for more than 50 years. They didn't move the deer in and out much of that time.

This brings up an interesting question of how CWD found its way into the herd. Kinda sucks they killed the herd also. Would it have been possible to keep the affected deer and study the affects of CWD better?


CWD Deteced at Kerr WMA

quote:

---

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists have reported a suspect-positive case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a 14-month-old captive male white-tailed deer at the Kerr Wildlife Management Area (WMA) research facility.

---

quote:

---

Out of an abundance of caution, TPWD staff euthanized all deer in the research facility and collected post-mortem samples, which resulted in no additional detections. TPWD will continue monitoring for CWD throughout the research facility and the WMA.

---

quote:

---

“TPWD staff are disappointed to abruptly end nearly 50 years of white-tailed deer research that has significantly influenced deer management in Texas and across the country” said John Silovsky, Wildlife Division Director. “Staff will continue to investigate opportunities to enhance the understanding of this insidious disease in both captive environments and free-ranging populations.”

Built in 1974, the high-fenced research facility offers researchers facilities to study white-tailed deer in a controlled setting. The 23-acre facility now is double high fenced and consists of breeding and rearing enclosures, and a series of other structures that facilitate the safe handling of research animals.

The initial stock of deer in the research facility consisted of native Texas whitetails obtained from various locations throughout the state. TPWD did not routinely move deer into or out of the facility after that initial stocking.

---