10/01/2007
 

Contact: Mark Cunningham (352) 955-2230, ext. 105
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Importing deer and elk carcasses from CWD states illegal

It is illegal to bring into Florida carcasses of any species of the family Cervidae (deer, elk and moose) from 14 states and two Canadian provinces where chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

The states and n provinces where the deadly disease has been detected are: New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, New York, West Virginia, Kansas, Oklahoma, Montana, Minnesota, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Visit the CWD Alliance Web site at http://www.cwd-info.org/ for the most up-to-date CWD information.

“To date, no cases of CWD have been found in Florida,” said FWC’s wildlife veterinarian, Mark Cunningham. “Hunters can help prevent the spread of CWD into Florida by observing the restrictions placed on bringing carcasses in from other areas where the disease has been detected.”

CWD, first identified in Colorado in 1967, is a disease that affects the central nervous system and is related to "mad cow" disease in cattle and scrapie in sheep. The disease always is fatal to the infected animal, but there are no known cases of it being transmitted to people, domestic animals or livestock.

Hunters still can bring back de-boned meat from any CWD-affected region, as well as finished taxidermy mounts, hides, skulls, antlers and teeth as long as all soft tissue has been removed. Whole, bone-in carcasses and parts may be brought back to Florida if they were harvested from non-affected CWD states or provinces.

To report sick or dead deer suspected of having CWD, call the CWD hotline, (866) 293-9282. For more information about CWD, visit MyFWC.com/cwd.