WDFW Suspending the rehabilitation of cervids

[Ridgeratt]

Director’s statement on deer, elk, and moose rehabilitation in Eastern Washington
Director's statement Jan. 6, 2025

In an effort to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) and consistent with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) CWD Management Plan, the Department will no longer allow permitted wildlife rehabilitators to accept deer, elk, or moose for rehabilitation in WDFW’s Eastern Region. This change is effective Jan. 7, 2025 until further notice. The impact of this change will likely be most visible this spring when permitted rehabilitators typically receive young cervids. 

CWD is a highly contagious disease spread through contact between animals or contaminated environments. Moving wildlife to rehabilitation facilities risks spreading disease to uninfected animals and new areas. Most animals infected with CWD do not show outward signs until the final stages of the disease, which may take months to years, during which time the animal can be infecting other animals. Suspending rehabilitation of species that may be infected ensures the disease is not spreading through rehabilitation efforts.  

CWD affects cervids - deer, elk, and moose - and is always fatal. If not managed, it has the potential to impact cervid populations, as well as recreational, economic, ecological, and societal values in Washington.  

Suspending the rehabilitation of cervids is the responsible action to protect Washington’s wildlife populations long-term.  

For your own safety and the best interest of wildlife, do not attempt to treat any sick, injured, or potentially abandoned wildlife yourself but instead call a permitted licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance. WDFW relies on permitted wildlife rehabilitators to take in wild animals in need of care. We are grateful for their cooperation and services, which are key to WDFW’s conservation efforts. 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish, wildlife, and recreational and commercial opportunities.



Interesting that while they say there isn't any reason to be concerned, they have taken this stance. Could it be they are fibbing once again?

[CarbonHunter]

Wait until the bleeding hearts fine out the state is going to euthanize every hurt or abandoned baby deer this spring. The tears will cause rivers to rise this spring.

Reminds me of year ago when I was working on a system inside of a 911 call center and a person called 911 to report a hurt rabbit on a sidewalk and they wanted them to dispatch a medic for it. You can’t make this stuff up in our state.

[hunter399]

Waiting for baiting ban and mandatory testing.
It's coming 😮

[CarbonHunter]

 

But with any luck they’ll lower the cost of housing development trophy tags so all the jealous people can afford them. 

[hunter399]

But with any luck they’ll lower the cost of housing development trophy tags so all the jealous people can afford them. 

Ohh snap 🫰.
Raffle tag drawing for everyone that tested this year.
SHOW ME THE MONEY,I mean tags.
Might as well before they gone.
On a side note.
Maybe get cougar season back,that's the only thing that we will have left.


I get a raffle tag moose,test it,get another raffle tag moose.
Sweet.
Just dreaming here.

[hunter399]

Any high point holders better be in the draws.
I don't see moose tags lasting forever.

[MADMAX]

Any high point holders better be in the draws.
I don't see moose tags lasting forever.

I’m betting 1000s of us have 24+

[huntnnw]

Wait until the bleeding hearts fine out the state is going to euthanize every hurt or abandoned baby deer this spring. The tears will cause rivers to rise this spring.

Reminds me of year ago when I was working on a system inside of a 911 call center and a person called 911 to report a hurt rabbit on a sidewalk and they wanted them to dispatch a medic for it. You can’t make this stuff up in our state.

with those rising waters will bring the regeneration of aspens along the banks

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Instead of banning rehabilitation, why don't they just test animals before they are sent to a rehabilitator? 

[jasnt]

Instead of banning rehabilitation, why don't they just test animals before they are sent to a rehabilitator? 

I don’t believe they can test live animals yet, they must remove the lymph nodes for testing

[CarbonHunter]

Instead of banning rehabilitation, why don't they just test animals before they are sent to a rehabilitator? 

I don’t believe they can test live animals yet, they must remove the lymph nodes for testing

 

And once CWD is in the soil it cannot be removed meaning any animal that eats from that ground will contract CWD.

[Mtnwalker]

Instead of banning rehabilitation, why don't they just test animals before they are sent to a rehabilitator? 

I don’t believe they can test live animals yet, they must remove the lymph nodes for testing

I have read about dogs being trained to detect it with accuracy on-par with the lymph node testing, but not sure the logistics of that

[hunter399]

Wait until the bleeding hearts fine out the state is going to euthanize every hurt or abandoned baby deer this spring. The tears will cause rivers to rise this spring.

Reminds me of year ago when I was working on a system inside of a 911 call center and a person called 911 to report a hurt rabbit on a sidewalk and they wanted them to dispatch a medic for it. You can’t make this stuff up in our state.

with those rising waters will bring the regeneration of aspens along the banks

😂😂😂

[kodiak06]

Waiting for baiting ban and mandatory testing.
It's coming 😮

Hopefully those clowns know that they'll need to outlaw deer from using scrapes, rubs, and licking branches...

[Platensek-po]

Waiting for baiting ban and mandatory testing.
It's coming 😮

Hopefully those clowns know that they'll need to outlaw deer from using scrapes, rubs, and licking branches...

I’m sure they know they can’t stop deer from doing those things or even stop transmission completely. However they can mitigate the congregation of animals at feeders and bait sites.