CONFIRMED CASE OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IN A WHITE-TAILED DEER AT SASKATOON FORESTRY FARM PARK & ZOO

A case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been confirmed in a male white-tailed deer recently brought to the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo. On the advice of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the  deer was euthanized for testing after a case of CWD was confirmed at the farm where the deer had originally come from.

CWD is a fatal, nervous system disease found only in deer and other members of the cervid family (deer, elk, caribou, and  moose). Although the disease is very contagious within the deer family population, it is not known to be transferrable to people or other mammals, so the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo remains open and safe for the public.

There is no vaccine or cure for CWD, and the only accurate way to test for the disease is from brain tissue from a deceased animal. As a result of close contact with the infected male deer, six additional deer at the Zoo were also euthanized for testing. The results from these tests indicated they were all negative for the disease.

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo has been working closely with the CFIA to ensure all proper procedures are followed to reduce the risk of future CWD infections among the remaining deer and elk at the Zoo. Zoo staff will soon be cleaning and disinfecting areas where the infected deer was quarantined when it first arrived at the Zoo. In the spring, staff will also clean and disinfect all exterior pens and buildings that housed the infected deer.

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo is an accredited facility with the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This past summer, the Zoo went through its latest accreditation review where its practices and procedures were carefully scrutinized and found to meet all industry standards.

CWD was first detected in the wild deer population in Saskatchewan in 2000, and remains an active disease within the population.

CONTACT JOHN MORAN, CITY OF SASKATOON , ZOO MANAGER AT 975-3385 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Chronic Wasting Disease and how did it show up at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (SFFP&Z)?

Chronic Wasting Disease is a fatal nervous system disease found in the cervid family of animals (white-tailed deer, mule deer, moose, caribou, and elk). The suspected case was brought to the attention of SFFP&Z by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). A case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) had been found at the farm where the male white-tailed deer at the SFFP&Z had recently come from.

Are nearby residents and/or visitors to the zoo at risk from the disease?

No. CWD is not known to be transferrable to any other mammals outside of the deer family. Visitors to the Zoo and residents are safe from infection.

Is the Zoo closed?

No. The Zoo remains open to the public.

Why was the suspected animal euthanized?

There is no accurate test available to identify CWD in a live animal. Brain tissue must be examined to accurately test for CWD. There is no vaccine and there is no cure once the animal is infected. CFIA’s risk assessment, under the authority of the Health of Animals Act which mandates the best way to manage the risk of the disease spreading, decided the best course of action was to also euthanize six other deer-family animals that had close contact with the confirmed CWD animal. These six animals all tested negative for the disease.

How is CWD spread?

It is spread through direct (animal to animal) and indirect environmental (animal to premises to animal) transmission from animal secretions.

What is the SFFP&Z doing to ensure the disease doesn’t spread to the remaining elk and other deer housed the Zoo?

SFFP&Z staff will clean and disinfect areas that are heated and controlled. In the spring, staff will clean and disinfect all exterior pens and buildings that housed the male white-tail deer including soil removal in the exhibit.

What is the SFFP&Z doing to ensure wild animals in the Saskatoon area aren’t affected?

The SFFP&Z has a fourteen foot (4 metere) perimeter fence independent of any animal exhibit fencing around the Zoo to prevent nose-to-nose contact between zoo animals and free-ranging wildlife.