Wyoming wildlife authorities confirmed the first case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) detected in an elk feedground on Wednesday. This marks a significant milestone in the spread of the disease, which has the potential to severely impact the state’s elk population. The infected elk was found at the Scab Creek Feedground, situated near the Wind River Range, approximately 15 miles east of Pinedale, Wyoming.
The cow elk, which was discovered dead in late December, tested positive for CWD, a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting deer, elk, and moose. This case is not only the first confirmed instance of CWD at a feedground but also the third documented occurrence of the disease in the region’s hunt area. Wyoming Game and Fish Department officials announced the discovery in an official notice to the public.
CWD was first identified in southeastern Wyoming elk in 1986, but it has only recently begun to infiltrate the northwestern part of the state. The disease was initially found in the Jackson Herd in 2020 and has since spread to the Pinedale, Piney, and Fall Creek elk herds. Although CWD prevalence is still low in these herds, its long-term effects are concerning.
The Scab Creek Feedground, located on Bureau of Land Management land, has historically been home to large numbers of elk. The feedground’s target population is 500 elk, although the actual number has often been closer to 800 during the winter months. As part of its management strategy, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has recently completed a comprehensive elk feedground management plan.
Rising Concerns Over CWD’s Impact on Elk Populations
While CWD has been present in elk populations in southeastern Wyoming for decades, its impact on the northern regions is only beginning to be understood. CWD spreads through infectious prions, misfolded proteins that can remain viable in the environment for long periods, particularly in soil and vegetation. Researchers warn that continued feeding practices, which artificially concentrate elk populations, may exacerbate the spread of the disease.
A recent study by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists predicts that the Jackson Elk Herd could see a decline of more than 50% if feeding practices continue at the National Elk Refuge. Further projections suggest that the populations of elk attending feedgrounds in the northwest, including the Afton, Fall Creek, Piney, Pinedale, and Upper Green River herds, could be halved, with CWD prevalence rates climbing above 40%.
Management and Potential for Change
Despite the growing concerns, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s management plan for elk feedgrounds does not call for immediate changes to feeding practices. However, the department is developing “feedground management action plans” for individual herds, which may result in recommendations for changes or even closures over the next three years.
In 2025, the Jackson and Pinedale elk herds, including the Scab Creek Feedground, will undergo review as part of this ongoing evaluation. The department is exploring the possibility of converting feeding areas or altering feeding methods to reduce the environmental presence of CWD prions.
Prions are known to bind to various soil types, with bentonite clay, in particular, increasing their infectivity. As such, researchers suggest that substrate conversions or alternative management practices may help mitigate the risk of further contamination.
As chronic wasting disease continues to spread across Wyoming’s elk populations, wildlife managers face mounting pressure to find solutions that protect both animal health and the state’s iconic wildlife populations.
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