“Zombie deer disease” info session to be held in Charlie Lake

CHARLIE LAKE, B.C. — The North Peace Rod & Gun Club is hosting an information session on chronic wasting disease (CWD), also known as “zombie deer disease,” on Sunday.

CWD is an infectious and fatal disease that affects animals in the cervid family, such as deer, elk, moose and caribou.

In January, CWD was detected in the province’s Kootenay region, south of Cranbrook.

Gerry Paille, Peace-Liard region president of the BC Wildlife Federation, says provincial wildlife biologist Cait Nelson will be conducting a presentation about CWD and actions that can be taken to reduce the risk of the disease spreading.

The information session will occur at the North Peace Rod & Gun Club at 13300 Sunnyside Drive in Charlie Lake on Sunday, March 10th, with doors opening at 6:45 p.m.

According to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, the cases in both B.C. and Alberta are reasonably distant from the northeast region. However, the risk will increase if the disease spreads in either province.

Paille says there is concern in the northeast due to its proximity to Alberta and confirmed cases across the border.

Testing is mandatory in the Kootenays, where the disease was found, but is voluntary in the rest of the province. There are also restrictions on transporting and disposing of cervids in the Kootenays.

Paille says as an incentive to submit cervid heads for testing, the North Peace Rod & Gun Club, along with other sponsors, have done a draw for the last ten years.

Anyone who submitted a head for sampling in 2023 is entered into the draw, and the winner will be picked on Sunday.

Though hunting season is currently over, roadkill can still be reported for testing.

Paille says if someone hits an animal with their vehicle, they must also report it.

To report roadkill, the Report All Poachers and Polluters line can be reached at 1-877-952-7277.

Questions about the information session on Sunday can be directed to Nelson at 250-751-3219 or cait.nelson@gov.bc.ca.

Any questions regarding CWD surveillance efforts in the northeast can be directed to Stanley Troyer at 250-263-5875.