Urban deer in B.C. tests positive for wasting disease

A recent cull of 126 urban deer in southeastern British Columbia has revealed that one of the deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease. This cull took place in the cities of Cranbrook and Kimberley last month. The cull was conducted to check if the disease was spreading among the urban deer population. In the past year, five other cases of the disease have been confirmed in the southeastern region of the province. Chronic wasting disease is a serious infection that affects deer, elk, moose, and caribou. It spreads through bodily fluids, shared spaces, and grooming among the animals. The provincial government has noted that urban areas pose a higher risk for the spread of this disease due to the higher density of deer. Authorities have assured the public that the culling process would be carried out safely and humanely.