A deer killed in November by a hunter near Grand Island has tested positive for chronic wasting disease.

The case -- reported by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Friday -- is the furthest east the disease has been found in Nebraska since it was first discovered in the state in 2000.

The disease had previously not been found outside of the Panhandle region, said Jim Douglas, Wildlife Administrator for the commission.

"This will prompt us to change the manner in which we monitor for the disease in that management unit and seek additional samples," Douglas said.

Preliminary tests received earlier in the week on the buck shot in the Cornhusker Wildlife Management Area indicated the presence of the disease, which was confirmed by a secondary test conducted at the University of Wyoming, the commission said.

Biologists now plan to cull 50 more deer in the area of the Cornhusker Wildlife Management Area. The commission will also ask hunters during the Jan. 1-9 season to voluntarily submit the heads of deer taken within a 30-mile radius of Grand Island.

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Source: Associated Press
December 12, 2004

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