Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance and Testing

On this page:

• About the B.C. CWD Program
• CWD response
• Drop-off locations for testing
• Harvest locations

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About the B.C. CWD Program

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).

CWD response

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.

Drop-off locations for testing

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.

Instructions for submitting a head

• The head must be removed from the body, with at least three inches of neck still attached to preserve the tissues at the back of the throat that are required for testing. For European style mounts (deer only), submit the intact lower jaw with tissues of the back of the throat attached. European mount submissions are not suitable for moose or elk because the brain stem is also required for testing in these species.
• Antlers must be removed. If the animal is harvested in a restricted antler season, remove both antlers with the skull plate as one piece and keep them with the carcass. Also important to retain evidence of sex and species with the carcass when the head is removed.
• The head can be fresh or frozen but must be in good condition, preferably not shot in the head and not rotten. The head can also be skinned out.
• Animals must be over 1 year of age. Animals under 1 year will not be tested.
• An ear card (provided at freezer) must be completed and attached with a zap-strap (provided) to either the ear or the skull (if skinned).
• Heads must be placed in a garbage bag (provided) and the bag closed with a knot or zap-strap before being deposited in a freezer.

Harvest locations

Why are we asking for harvest locations?

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

How to find coordinates

Coordinates can be obtained through Google Maps.

• Google Maps: Discover coordinates or search by latitude & longitude

You can also try to get coordinates from photos taken on your phone.

• How to know the location of the photo taken using our smartphone

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.

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Thank-you to the B.C. Wildlife Federation for the generous purchase and donation of ten freezers towards this initiative.