Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
JACKSON, WY-- On Monday, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department confirmed that multiple cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) were discovered in hunter-harvest bull elk in the Cody region. The cases of CWD were found in Elk Hunt Areas 47 and 49, which border areas that previously reported CWD in elk. Cases in neighboring Hunt Areas were reported in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2020.
Monday’s announcement confirms that the always-fatal disease has steadily spread in recent years to additional Hunt Areas in Wyoming, posing a potential threat to the state’s elk population and the people and wildlife who may interact with infected animals.
In response, Bonnie Rice, Sierra Club’s Greater Yellowstone/Northern Rockies Senior Campaign Representative, released the following statement:
“Monday’s announcement makes it clear that Chronic Wasting Disease isn’t going away in Wyoming – it’s getting worse. The state’s outdoors economy, and its deer and elk herds, are at serious risk, but Wyoming’s current elk management does more to spread CWD than to stop it. Phasing out state-supported elk feedlots is critical in mitigating the threat of CWD, as is conserving native carnivores which help to reduce its spread
“When it comes to state-supported feedlots, Wyoming is out of step with its neighbors – no other state uses this practice. Phasing out these high-risk feedlots is long overdue."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.