The origins of CWD are not clearly known. It is in a class of diseases
called spongiform encephalopathy. It is caused, apparently by a prion, a
sort of aberrant protein http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/fscwd.html

It does not appear to be transmissible to cattle, but no-one knows for
sure. One theory is that mule deer in a research program at Colorado
State University were exposed to domestic sheep with scrapie
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/fsscrapie.html  and through some
unknown process the prion that causes CWD got into the wild population.
Until just a few years ago, CWD was restricted to a very small group of
deer in NE Colorado. However it has now spread to elk and white-tailed
deer and has been found in a number of locations.

Frankly not much is known about CWD. It is infectious, but whether
humans and domestic animals get it, who knows?

It is, despite the tragedy, an interesting ethical question. What is the
moral object; the individual or the species? Should diseases in wild
animals be allowed to run a "natural" course? And so on.

Steven

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion forum for environmental ethics.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Chris Perley
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2002 3:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [nature-net] Sharpshooting of deer reconsidered for north
part of county


SB,
Just by way of background - and I realise you may well have posted an
explanation already - what is the genesis of this disease?  People
haven't been feeding their animals minced offal I hope.  And why is it
in the wild popn?  Obviously there is a contagion problem as with Mad
Cow D.

I agree with the point about the use of rifles to reduce the amount of
stress.  But at a broader level, this culling seems a classic example of
considering species or popns ahead of individuals - which I think is the
ethically right thing to do.  Some may disagree.

CP

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion forum for environmental ethics.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Steven Bissell
> Sent: Friday, 12 April 2002 1:36 a.m.
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: FW: [nature-net] Sharpshooting of deer reconsidered for north

> part of county
>
>
> More on CWD.
> Steven
>
>
> Sharpshooting of deer reconsidered for north part of county
>
>         The Boulder County Commissioners will hold a public hearing at

> 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11 with members of the Colorado Department
> of Wildlife to reconsider the use of sharpshooters for killing deer
> suspected of having Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
>         The public hearing will be limited to discussion about the use

> of sharpshooters in the northern part of Boulder County.
>
> Following is more information:
>
> Memo
>
> TO:                     Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
> FROM:           Therese Glowacki, Manager, Resource Management
Division
> PRESENTERS:     Dave Clarkson and Janet George, Colorado Division of
> Wildlife
> DATE:                   April 9, 2002
>
> SUBJECT:                Effective and Humane Chronic Wasting Disease
> Management on Boulder County Parks and Open Space North of Left Hand
> Canyon
>
>
> The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) is requesting the Board of
> County Commissioners (BOCC) to allow the use of sharp-shooting for
> their Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management in northern Boulder
> County. They will present information on the current status of their
> efforts using deer clover-traps and drop-nets on Parks and Open Space
> properties.  The CDOW has officially requested the use of rifles to
> reduce the amount of stress put on the deer during the culling process

> and to increase the effectiveness of staff needed for culling deer.
>
> On March 12, 2002 the BOCC approved CWD management by the Division on
> Boulder County Parks and Open Space properties north of Left Hand
> Canyon.  In the area where the CDOW is currently working, which
> includes Rabbit Mountain Open Space, private property and Larimer
> County Open Space, they have been able to cull 51 deer and have found
> 14 of those deer test positive for CWD.  This is an extremely high
> prevalence rate of 27%.
>
> Staff recommends supporting the CDOW in their actions to prevent the
> spread of the disease by using sharp-shooting.  Not only is this a
> more humane effort, it will also allow CDOW staff to efficiently
> remove target animals, reducing the need for CDOW to be on or near
> Parks and Open Space property for extended periods of time.
>
> ACTION REQUESTED:  Approval of sharp-shooting by the Colorado Division

> of Wildlife for Chronic Wasting Disease management on Boulder County
> Parks and Open Space property north of Lefthand Canyon.
>
>
>
>
>
> ======================================================
>
> Boulder County Nature Association's Nature Network http://www.bcna.org
>