As of 11-04-2008

476 total samples collected since July 1, 2008:

• 257 elk

• 17 mule deer

• 178 white-tailed deer

Most samples are from the Black Hills and from prairie hunting units in Fall River, Custer, and eastern Pennington counties of western South Dakota.  Most samples were taken from hunter-harvested animals.

RESULTS

As of 11-04-2008 we have received results from the South Dakota State University Diagnostic Lab or Wind Cave National Park on 304 samples listed below.   

• 257 elk

• 8 mule deer

• 39 white-tailed deer

Of the 304 samples tested to date, we have found 5 CWD positive Elk and 1 CWD positive deer.  Below is a summary of these animals:

1. Elk female from Wind Cave National Park. (Sick/Surveillance)

2. Elk female from Unit H3B. (Hunter harvest)

3. Elk male from Unit H3A. (Hunter Harvest)

4. Elk female from Wind Cave National Park. (Sick/Surveillance)

5. Elk male from Unit H3A. (Hunter Harvest)

6. White-tailed female from Unit BD4. (Sick/Surveillance)

 In Summary:

GFP and Wind Cave National Park have found six case of CWD (5 elk, 1 deer) in free ranging cervids in the testing period from July 1, 2008 to present.

To date, South Dakota has found 83 cases of CWD (55 deer and 28 elk) in free ranging deer and elk since testing began in 1997. Wind Cave National Park accounts for 22 of these animals (14 elk, 8 deer). A total of 17,880 wild deer and elk have been tested for CWD since 1997.

 Hunters may get their animal tested for chronic wasting disease by making their own arrangements directly through the SDSU Diagnostic Lab at (605) 688-5171.