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Surveillance is a critical component of disease prevention and management. Since 2002, the B.C. CWD Program has conducted CWD surveillance in native cervid species over 1 year of age. The majority of samples are collected from hunter harvested cervids but road kills and other collected cervids are also testing.
Surveillance is carried out across the Province, however, limited resources require prioritizing targeted surveillance in high risk areas and focus on areas with confirmed CWD in B.C and regions adjacent to CWD positive jurisdictions (Alberta and Montana).
The Chief Veterinary Officer has issued General Order CWD2024-001 (PDF, 255 KB) in response to the detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in B.C. The order applies to the boundaries of the Initial Response Area (PDF, 545KB), defined as Management Units 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, and a portion of 4-22. This is south of and including Highway 3, which is situated between south of Cranbrook toward the United States border, west to the Moyie Range, and east to the Macdonald Range. The order applies to all cervids, including deer, elk, moose and caribou.
All cervids (deer, elk, moose and caribou) harvested from the initial response area must be submitted to a government testing site or drop-off location for testing.
In addition to the above, all white-tailed and mule deer harvested in management units 4-1 to 4-8 and 4-23 to 4-25 mus also be submitted for testing as condition of a hunting licence.
At this time, all persons who collect found dead cervids, or parts of found dead cervids in the response area must transport the collected cervids for testing and disposal to either the Central Regional Landfill - 600 Eager Hill Road or the Cranbrook Wildlife Office.
To arrange drop off at the Cranbrook Wildlife Office contact Ken Walburger, ken.walburger@gov.bc.ca or 250-420-6371 (during business hours).
Additional drop off locations are available during hunting season. These locations are subject to change. If a drop-off location is not available in your area, contact the B.C. Wildlife Health Program at 250-751-3219 to arrange drop off.
Lower Mainland Region
Kootenay Region
Okanagan Region
Peace Region
Thompson Region
In response to two recent detections of Chronic Wasting Disease in the Kootenays, we are requesting specific harvest locations for the deer that were harvested in the 2023/2024 season. This information will help us get a better picture of the distribution of negative and positive cases. Harvest locations will be kept confidential.
Email Coordinates to CWD@gov.bc.ca
Coordinates can be obtained through Google Maps.
You can also try to get coordinates from photos taken on your phone.
The preferred format of coordinates is decimal degrees but any format is accepted. If you are unable to obtain coordinates, email CWD@gov.bc.ca for assistance.
Thank-you to the B.C. Wildlife Federation for the generous purchase and donation of ten freezers towards this initiative.
For wildlife-human interactions where public safety may be at risk call the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line:
For wildlife health inquiries or reports: