Three chronic wasting disease (CWD) research projects just got a $100,000 boost from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF).

As a founding member and sponsor of the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance, the $100,000 in grant monies will go toward these three projects, according to RMEF. All are slated to begin this year:

• At Cornell University, “CWD Prions & Markers of Disease Risk in Fecal Samples.” This is an intersectional study geared toward advancing early detection methods for the disease as well as host factors of high CWD risk, using non-invasive samples.
• Through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey, “Mitigating CWD Prevalence in Wind River Mule Deer Population.” This project will integrate data on CWD prevalence, habitat and deer density in order to identify hotspots that will help create effective management strategies.
• Through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the University of Georgia, “Population Level Impacts of CWD on Arkansas White-tailed Deer.” This project will estimate deer abundance, evaluate influences of CWD on demographic and behavior, determine infection rates and develop a model to forecast the effects of management action on future CWD spread.

The $100,000 awarded this year will be combined with other contributors for a total of nearly $450,000 in funding that will go towards 2022 CWD research.

“Though some advancements have been made, there are many questions surrounding the causes and spread of chronic wasting disease,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “These studies will help biologists and game managers better develop science-based disease management practices to benefit elk and other wildlife.”

Stay tuned to goHUNT for further updates.