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Wild deer herds will be culled in a small area near Alberta-Saskatchewan border.
The Alberta government will cull deer near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, following evidence that chronic wasting disease (CWD) has become established in wild deer at nearby locations in Saskatchewan.
At least 57 wild deer with CWD have been identified in Saskatchewan. The most recent case, part of a cluster of four wild deer with CWD, was found about 1.5 km from the Alberta border, east of Chauvin. Biologists with Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, believe strong preventative action is necessary to limit the spread of the disease to Alberta deer. No cases of CWD in the wild have been recorded in Alberta to date-through Alberta's extensive monitoring program, more than 5,400 wild deer and elk have been tested since 1996.
"We need to act quickly and decisively to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease to Alberta's wild deer and elk," said David Coutts, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development.
In March, Fish and Wildlife officers will begin culling deer within a well-defined high risk region east of Chauvin, comprising Townships 41, 42 and 43 in Range 1, W4. The cull area is about 29 km long (18 miles) by 10 km wide (6 miles). Public information meetings will take place in Lloydminster on March 7, Wainwright on March 8, Chauvin on March 9 and Provost on March 10. Alberta wants to develop a long-term approach to CWD in border areas. Input from area residents will be very helpful.
Fish and Wildlife officers will seek permission from landowners and agricultural producers to cull deer on their properties. The cull will be completed by early April. Alberta will test for the presence of CWD in all deer collected. Fish and Wildlife staff will continue to ensure public safety and will take steps to minimize disturbance to residents.
Fish and Wildlife collected wild deer through similar processes in 2001 and 2003, in response to specific risks posed by CWD. Landowners were very co-operative and similar co-operation is anticipated this year.
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