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Deer test positive for CWD in Gratiot and Eaton counties

Flickr User Shane Pope
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https://flic.kr/p/4xXDZj

More deer in Michigan have tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease...this time in two counties with no previously known cases

 

A four year old deer in Gratiot County and a two year old in Eaton County tested positive for the neurological disease last month.

Chad Stewart is a deer management specialist with the Department of Natural Resources.

“We started off with Ingham and Clinton counties back in 2015, most of the positive animals that we’ve identified in the past year have come from Montcalm and Kent counties. We’ve also picked up positives in Ionia and earlier this year we found them in Dickinson and Jackson counties, so I believe this brings our total to nine different counties.”

Stewart credited Michigan hunters for helping with early detection of CWD. That, he said, helps the DNR stay in front of the disease and manage deer populations to combat it.

In the interest of disclosure, the DNR is a financial supporter of WCMU.