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REWARD OFFERED IN MCLENNAN CO. ELK DUMPING CASE
 

Media Contact: Aaron Reed (512) 389-8046 or aaron.reed@tpwd.state.tx.us

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas Game Wardens were asked by the McLennan County Sheriffs Office July 11, 2007, to assist in the investigation of the illegal dumping of nine elk carcasses in a field just off County Road 2311 near Tours in the northeast portion of the county. 

The eight cow elk and one young bull elk had no bullet wounds or other discernable injuries. Blood and tissue samples were collected at the scene by a veterinarian representing the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC).  Test results have not been received.

Beyond the illegal dumping of the carcasses, of major concern is the illegal transport of the animals and the potential for introduction of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) into Texas.

CWD has not thus far been detected in Texas.

The TAHC imposes strict entry requirements for livestock and exotic hoofed stock entering the state. Since January 2006 TAHC regulations require radio frequency identification (RFID) and movement documentation on elk moved within the borders of Texas.

Anyone with information about this case, or on the illegal movement of any elk or deer within Texas, is requested to report it via the Operation Game Thief REWARD HOTLINE - 800 792-GAME.

Callers may remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 upon conviction of the violator.

 

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NEWS RELEASE
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 *Austin, Texas 78711 *(800) 550-8242* FAX (512) 719-0719
Linda Logan, DVM, PhD* Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242,
ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us

For Immediate Release--March 29, 2002

Texas Suspends Importation of Elk and Several Species of Deer
to Protect Against Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

To prevent the potential introduction of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), the
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)  and Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department (TPWD) have issued separate orders that suspend the importation of live white-tailed and black-tailed deer, mule deer, and elk into Texas from any states until further notice.  Recently, CWD, a fatal brain-wasting disease, has been detected in eight states in either captive elk herds and/or free-ranging or farm-raised white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer and mule deer.

"The TAHC has been concerned about CWD for several years and, after working with representatives from the deer and elk industry, we implemented entry requirements and a voluntary herd monitoring program in l999,"  explained Dr. Linda Logan, Texas' state veterinarian and executive director of the TAHC, the state's livestock health regulatory agency.

"In late 2001, the TAHC quarantined the movement of live white-tailed and
black-tailed deer, mule deer, and elk from Colorado, when nearly 1,500
captive elk were depopulated because of infection or exposure to the
disease," Dr. Logan said.  "By February 2002, the commission followed with
an identical movement quarantine on Nebraska, because CWD had been detected on a private hunting preserve and in nearby free-ranging white-tailed deer.
By mid-March CWD was detected in free-ranging white-tailed deer in
Wisconsin. This was the first time the disease was detected east of the
Mississippi River. CWD also has been detected in several mule deer in the
Canadian province of Saskatchewan."

Dr. Logan explained that the TPWD regulates the importation of
white-tailed, black-tailed and mule deer under the provisions of the
Scientific Breeder Permit regulations.  The TAHC, sets standards for health
requirements and also issues entry permits for elk and other deer
considered to be exotic to Texas.  From September 2001 through February
2002, the TAHC permitted 72 elk permitted to enter the state from Colorado,
Illinois, Missouri, Montana, and Oklahoma. The TPWD reports that more than
2,100 deer were imported by scientific breeders since l998, most coming
from Louisiana, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Illinois.

"Our concerns about the possible introduction of CWD into Texas by imported
elk and deer rose further when Wisconsin animal health officials reported
infection in their free-ranging white-tailed deer.  At the same time, we
also were receiving inquiries from deer and elk producers in states that
had no CWD surveillance programs.  After consulting with industry, our
agencies agreed that we should exercise extreme caution now and stop the
importation of these susceptible species of deer and elk from all states,
rather than regret it later," said Dr. Logan.

"As of March 20, the TAHC quarantined all states, prohibiting the entry of
elk, mule deer, and white-tailed and black-tailed deer to give us adequate
time to readdress our entry and surveillance regulations. Before admitting
additional animals into the state, we must  ensure that our regulations are
reasonable, yet effective, to protect our multi-billion dollar domestic
wildlife and exotic hoof stock against CWD."

"At this time, there is no evidence that CWD is transmissible to other hoof
stock, such as antelope, axis or fallow deer, which will still be allowed
to enter Texas, if they meet our requirements for tuberculosis and
brucellosis testing and veterinary examination," said Dr. Logan.

CWD was first seen in captive mule deer in l967 at the Colorado Division of
Wildlife's research facilities in Fort Collins.  Since then, it has been
detected in free-ranging deer in Colorado, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Wyoming and South Dakota. The disease has also been found in captive elk or deer
facilities in Oklahoma, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska and South Dakota.  Both
free-ranging deer and captive elk herds in Saskatchewan, Canada, also have
been affected.

CWD, triggered by abnormal prions in the brain, is confirmed through
microscopic examination of brain tissue.  Dr. Logan said infected animals
may incubate the disease for three years or longer before they exhibit
clinical signs that include drooling, excessive thirst, dramatic loss of
weight and body condition, poor hair coat, staggering, and finally death.

Dr. Logan said researchers do not completely understand how the disease is
spread but suspect that the infectious agent may be shed in urine, saliva
or fluids associated with calving.  Because there is no live animal test,
and because CWD is a chronic disease that develops slowly over months or
years, herds must be monitored for at least five years before they are
considered "free" for CWD.  Herd monitoring involves collecting and
examining brain tissue from every deer or elk in the herd that dies, either
from slaughter, natural death, or hunter harvest to determine if the animal
had the disease.

The TAHC offers a voluntary CWD monitoring program in Texas, encompassing all deer and elk, including fallow and white-tailed deer. However, only about 20 herds in Texas are enrolled, Dr. Logan pointed out.   She said TAHC staff would like to see increase surveillance on Texas white-tailed deer raised under permit by scientific breeders.

"Ideally, deer or elk herds in Texas should be a part of a comprehensive
monitoring program, so that we can protect our valuable wildlife resource
in Texas," she said. "With a multi-billion dollar hunting and ranching
industry, I believe that CWD monitoring is extremely important."

A number of states are taking action to protect their elk and domestic and
exotic deer herds from CWD.  Connecticut prohibits the entry of any elk or
deer, while North Carolina animal health officials prohibit the entry of
deer or elk from counties (and contiguous counties) where CWD has been
diagnosed.  Missouri prohibits the entry of deer and elk that have been in
any CWD endemic area within the previous five years.

In Colorado, animal health officials require mandatory surveillance of all
elk mortalities, whether they are natural deaths, slaughter, or hunt park
kills.   Likewise, in 2000, Utah initiated mandatory testing for CWD, at
the request of the Utah Elk Breeders, prohibits the importation of any elk
from herds known to be exposed to or positive for CWD.  No cases of CWD
have been detected in Utah.

Other states, like Minnesota are testing deer within the state, developing
plans for expanded monitoring for the disease and organizing contingency
plans for handling CWD.  In Nebraska, where infected wild deer were
detected, Game and Parks Commission officials are preparing to reduce the
wild deer population in the affected area.  Last year, Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife officials expanded CWD testing to include
locker checks of some meat processors that handled wild game. To date, all
samples tested from Washington deer and elk have been negative for CWD.

Indiana officials issue entry permits for deer and elk on a case-by-case
basis, after reviewing a full medical history on the herd and evaluating
the herd's CWD monitoring program.  Indiana animal health officials also
have fashioned entry requirements based on each state's level of risk for
having CWD in free-ranging or captive herds.

"A variety of approaches are being tried to prevent the introduction of CWD
into states, but inevitably, the disease is appearing in elk herds around the
country and on several occasions, in the free-ranging deer within close
proximity to confined herds.  Texas must take a more active role in
assuring the health of our deer and elk," said Dr. Logan.

"Without a live animal test, we have no way to screen animals before they
come into our state. We need to establish hunter-kill surveillance and step
up the participation in herd monitoring programs.  This would allow us to
detect CWD in Texas early and stop its potential spread," said Dr. Logan.
"Implementations for a widespread Texas effort would necessitate the
support and participation by the hunting, and deer and elk ranching
industries."