The province’s first case of CWD, a highly contagious and incurable neurological disease, was detected near Lake of the Prairies on October 14.
“We don’t consider these cases connected or see there’s any indication of CWD establishing or spreading in Manitoba,” Zaari said. Maria Arlt, Manitoba’s assistant director of wildlife, fisheries and resource enforcement, said depopulating deer in the area is the best course of action. Arlt said they believe most area residents support the depopulation, but noted they will stay off land at the request of landowners.
The province said every deer killed will be tested for chronic wasting disease, but efforts will be made to salvage meat from CWD-free animals. Arlt said it is unknown how many deer are in the area, but the province will report culled numbers afterward.
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