Colorado hunters looking ahead to next deer season are advised to be on the lookout for zombie deer.
Chronic wasting disease, a contagious disease that kills deer, has now spread to 24 states, including Colorado. And, while it has yet to happen, there is some concern it could spread to humans who hunt and eat the meat.
The disease can cause drastic weight loss, lack of coordination and drooping ears, which prompted the nickname “zombie” deer disease.
Colorado has mandatory testing for deer harvests in certain regions, according to Jason Clay, a public information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. This past hunting season, the region that includes Boulder County was a mandatory testing region.
“(Chronic wasting disease) is one area of increasing concern across Colorado,” Clay said. “We are looking to find adaptive management tactics for helping prevent further spread of CWD and controlling it in herds that are already affected. Controlling chronic wasting disease is critical for the long-term health of our herds.”
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