Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance and Testing

NO POSITIVES for head submissions up to November 5, 2021.

If you submitted your samples on or before November 5, 2021 and cannot find your ear card number on the test results page, please contact Cait Nelson 250-751-3219 or the Wildlife Health Program Lab 250-751-7246

B.C. CWD Test Results

The B.C. CWD Program will accept heads from any cervid species collected from anywhere in the province.

On this page:

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, with no positive cases. 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 regions adjacent to CWD positive jurisdictions (Alberta and Montana) as well as suspect cases (animals showing signs of CWD).

Drop-off locations

Heads can be dropped off at any of the locations listed below or to any B.C. Wildlife or Conservation Officer Service office during business hours

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Kootenay Region

 

Peace Region

 

Thompson Region

 

Instructions for submitting a head

Hunting licence condition: Mandatory submission for CWD testing is required for white-tailed & mule deer harvested in MUs 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, 4-6, 4-7 & 4-23 within one week of harvest.

Detailed instructions for submission:

  • 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.

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