Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has long been a topic of concern, particularly among wildlife management agencies like the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and understandably so. However, as we delve deeper into the supposed facts provided by these agencies, there are early assumptions about CWD that are still being peddled as fact, when in fact we’ve learned a lot more about CWD in recent years that undermines many of the things we (and the the powers that be) thought we knew about CWD.
Let's start by addressing the purported fatality rate of CWD. The DNR and other similar organizations often paint a grim picture, emphasizing the high mortality rates among infected animals. “Highly contagious, always fatal” has been an underlying assumption considered fact for as long as we’ve been dealing with CWD. While it's true that CWD can lead to death, the reality is far more nuanced. Studies have now shown that not all animals infected with CWD succumb to the disease. In fact, some may live for years without exhibiting any noticeable symptoms. Thanks to CWD-testing on all deer fatalities in private facilities, we now see deer that die of natural causes at 10+ years old that--turns out--test positive for CWD.This raises questions about the true impact of CWD on wildlife populations and the necessity of drastic measures like widespread culling.
Furthermore, there is considerable debate surrounding the transmission and spread of CWD. The DNR confidently claims that CWD is highly contagious and is primarily and rapidly spread through direct contact between infected and healthy animals. While this may be a contributing factor, more recent findings call this into question. Recent research suggests that contaminated soil, plants, and feed likely play a role in spreading the disease. There are also a number of recent findings where CWD-infected fenced deer herds show CWD-positive and CWD-negative deer living in close quarters together for years, without transferring the disease.
The effectiveness of current management strategies employed by the DNR is questionable at best. Despite extensive efforts to control the spread of CWD through measures such as culling infected animals and implementing strict hunting regulations, the prevalence of the disease continues to rise in many regions. This calls into question the efficacy of these approaches and highlights the need for a more comprehensive and evidence-based approach to CWD management.
There’s a lot we don’t know about CWD. There’s a ton of research that still needs to be done. But the good news is that some of that research IS now being done, and we’re learning about this disease. As we learn more though, and the body of knowledge is increased, we need to change our thinking accordingly and let go of old assumptions that are shown to be inaccurate in light of new information. While the DNR and other wildlife management agencies may present their theories as indisputable facts, the reality is far more complex. By critically examining the available evidence, re-evaluating with the constant stream of new data and findings, and challenging long-standing assumptions, we can gain a better understanding of CWD and work towards more effective and sustainable management strategies.
Chronic wasting disease remains a contentious issue in the realm of wildlife conservation. While the DNR and similar organizations may offer facts and figures, it's crucial to consider alternative perspectives. Only by embracing skepticism and fostering open dialogue can we hope to unravel the mysteries surrounding CWD and develop truly effective solutions for its management.
