Deer in Stillwater confirmed to have had chronic wasting disease before death
By KSTP
(Pixabay/MGN)
The Minnesota Department of Natural Re has confirmed that a deceased deer had chronic wasting disease (CWD)
According to the DNR, the deer was first seen by a landowner who saw the animal acting strangely, appearing not to be afraid of humans and appearing emaciated. When the deer died on July 16, the DNR retrieved the deer’s body and had it tested, where CWD was detected
“This discovery near Stillwater is unfortunate and highlights the importance of the public’s awareness of and ability to report sick deer, as well as our protocol to have these deer tested for CWD,” said Michelle Carstensen, DNR Wildlife Health Program supervisor. “We thank the landowner who reported this animal because public participation is necessary to keep our deer population healthy.”
This detection was located in deer permit area 236 and is about 30 miles from the closest confirmed CWD cases in both Minnesota and western Wisconsin
According to the DNR, it is working on a surveillance response for the area following the detection
How does the DNR keep surveillance in Minnesota?
To keep up with the evolving needs of managing CWD in wildlife, the DNR says it is moving to a “four-year rotational surveillance plan.”
Under this plan, the state is divided into four quadrants, where each year one of the four quadrants will have its hunters test every deer harvested that is one year old or older for CWD
For 2026, the southwest quadrant has been selected
CWD affects cervids such as white-tailed deer, moose and elk, and has no known cure. It has been found in more than two-thirds of U.S. states
More information about CWD can be found on the DNR website
