Dr. Helen Schwantje, Wildlife Veterinarian/Fish and Wildlife Branch, sent out this request a few weeks back:
I have spoken on CWD and Bovine TB at BCWF AGMs but we are not getting the samples we need for confidence that these diseases are not present. And we need to. For that we are asking for your help in ways to outreach to hunters who harvest any cervid in three focus areas of BC – the Peace Region and East Kootenay in general and in MU 8-23 in the North Okanagan.
In short, The BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations would like your help in testing for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in our wild deer, elk, and moose populations.
Heads Wanted Flyer Provincial
Heads Wanted Flyer Cherryville/MU 8-23
Information Bulletin
What You Need to Know
Information for Hunters
For more information, please contact Adam Hering – Wildlife Health Biologist – 250-953-5140 Adam.Hering@gov.bc.ca
Or
Mike Bridger – Fish and Wildlife Biologist – Peace Region – 250-787-3294 Michael.Bridger@gov.bc.ca
Government has updated their Wildlife Health website, which also includes a poster describing the surveillance program. Some of the collection sites listed are no longer in existence.
Do you have any ideas as to how to get hunters to participate in this important research program?