No Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Cranbrook Deer Cull of 228 Animals
A targeted open-season deer hunt conducted near Cranbrook, British Columbia in January 2025 has yielded significant findings regarding chronic wasting disease surveillance. The cull, which resulted in 228 deer kills, did not detect any cases of the infectious and always fatal disease among the harvested animals.
Organized Surveillance Effort
The British Columbia Ministry of Land and Water Resources organized the hunt between January 5 and 31, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to monitor the presence and spread of chronic wasting disease within provincial wildlife populations. Although no animals tested positive during this specific operation, ministry officials emphasized that such targeted hunts serve multiple purposes within established management zones.
"Although no animals tested positive, targeted hunts within the established management zone aim to reduce deer population and density, providing fewer opportunities for close contact between animals and limiting the risk of CWD spread," the ministry stated in their official announcement.
Historical Context of CWD in British Columbia
Chronic wasting disease was first detected in British Columbia in January 2024, affecting both white-tailed deer and mule deer populations in the Kootenay region. During the subsequent 2025-26 hunting season, surveillance efforts identified three additional cases through hunter-submitted samples, all from male white-tailed deer.
To date, a total of nine confirmed cases of chronic wasting disease have been documented in the province, with all occurrences concentrated within the Kootenay region. This geographical clustering has prompted focused management strategies in affected areas.
Demographics of the January Cull
The ministry provided detailed statistics about the January 2025 hunt, revealing that 79 percent of the animals killed were white-tailed deer. This demographic breakdown aligns with surveillance priorities, as white-tailed deer have shown particular susceptibility to chronic wasting disease in previous detections.
Chronic wasting disease represents a significant threat to cervid populations across North America. The always fatal neurological disorder affects deer, elk, moose, and related species, with no known cure or effective treatment available. The disease spreads through direct animal-to-animal contact or environmental contamination from infected bodily fluids and tissues.
Wildlife management authorities continue to emphasize the importance of ongoing surveillance and population control measures to monitor disease progression and implement containment strategies where necessary. The absence of positive cases in the Cranbrook cull provides temporary reassurance while highlighting the need for continued vigilance in regions where the disease has been previously detected.
