Elk and Chronic Wasting Disease | Animal Welfare Hub

Chronic wasting disease is spreading through North American deer and elk populations, causing prolonged neurological deterioration.

Key Facts

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease affecting cervids including deer, elk, and moose
It has been detected in 31 US states, 4 Canadian provinces, and several countries outside North America
Affected animals show progressive neurological decline including weight loss, behavioral changes, and loss of fear over months
The disease has a 100% fatality rate and no treatment exists for infected individuals
Prions that cause CWD persist in soil and can remain infectious for years outside a host

Welfare Considerations

CWD causes a prolonged, distressing death: animals deteriorate neurologically over months while remaining mobile enough to continue exposing other animals. The welfare of individual elk and deer in CWD-endemic areas includes chronic deterioration that is visible but unstoppable at the individual level. Population-level management is the only current intervention.

What You Can Do

Support state and provincial wildlife agency CWD surveillance and containment programs
Do not transport deer or elk carcasses across jurisdictions to avoid spreading prions
Advocate for banning supplemental feeding of deer in areas where CWD is present or at risk