Columbia Valley Pioneer staff

A fifth case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in B.C. prompted experts to speak out on strategies at a March 13 meeting in Cranbrook.

Provincial wildlife biologist Holger Bohm and biosecurity expert Jessica Russel presented options to mitigate the spread of CWD, a fatal illness affecting deer, elk, and moose.

The provincial government has confirmed a fifth positive case of CWD in the Kootenays, with four cases previously confirmed near Cranbrook

The meeting at the Heritage Inn was hosted by the East Kootenay Wildlife Association (EKWA), with support from the B.C. Wildlife Federation (BCWF), the Kootenay Wildlife Heritage Fund, the Big Game Records Club of BC, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers of BC, and the Oceola Fish and Game Club.

Bohm, an ungulate specialist, presented an overview of the provincial government’s CWD management plan. His work has focused on large mammals through more than 20 years of experience in wildlife management in Europe and Canada.

Russel, an ecology consultant, presented approaches to managing chronic wasting disease, what has been learned elsewhere, and what it means for B.C. Her presentation will include ways to stay ahead of the disease’s spread.

“With new cases being confirmed in the Kootenay region, this is a perfect time for conservationists and interested citizens to review what has been done to date and what other options are available to slow the spread of CWD,” said Glenn Flynn, past president of the EKWA and a director of the BCWF.

The cases of CWD have been confined to the Kootenays, which presents an opportunity to use hunting pressure to help control its spread. 

A study released in January led by U.S. government biologist Wynne Moss found that “maintaining hunting pressure on adult males is an important tactic for slowing CWD epidemics within mule deer herds.”

Jesse Zeman, BCWF executive director, said while prevalence of the disease remains very low, decisive action is needed to limit the spread.

“The BCWF is committed to working with the province to improve our response and management of CWD. The recent study conducted in Wyoming concluded that hunting is the best tool for managing CWD, meaning B.C. has the tools and opportunity to keep prevalence low,” Zeman said.