HARRISBURG, PA (Release) – The two, ear-tagged deer euthanized July 26 in Ridgway Township, Elk County tested negative for chronic wasting disease, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced today.
Meanwhile, the investigation continues to determine whether the deer escaped from a captive facility or were intentionally released.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is always-fatal to deer and elk. Where CWD exists in Pennsylvania, measures are taken to reduce its potential spread.
The two ear-tagged deer were discovered about 20 miles north of Disease Management Area 3, within the Commonwealth’s Elk Management Area.
The ear tags raise concerns that the deer were at one time part of a captive-deer herd. The Department of Agriculture manages deer farming operations in the Commonwealth.
The discovery of deer from a captive herd in the wild always raises concerns due to the potential for CWD spreading to wild deer in a new area.
Anyone with information about where these deer might have originated is asked to contact the Game Commission’s Northcentral Office at 570-398-4744, or 570-398-4745.
