Could reintroduced elk transmit diseases to domestic livestock and native wildlife, especially since the discovery of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a captive white-tailed deer in north Missouri?
Livestock and wildlife health is critically important to us. As is the case with all wild and domestic animals, elk can serve as hosts for a variety of diseases and parasites. The potential for disease has been minimized in other states where elk restoration has occurred by following strict health protocols and guidelines. As a result, no disease transmission from reintroduced elk to livestock or wildlife has been reported or documented. Since 2000, there has been significant progress made in our understanding of chronic wating disease (CWD), including a live-animal test for elk. Our extensive animal health protocols include testing all elk for chronic wasting disease. We are working very closely with the Missouri Department of Agriculture and State Veterinarian on stringent animal-health protocols to prevent the possible spread of diseases from imported elk to domestic livestock and other wildlife. Our disease protocols for elk restoration are more stringent than any existing disease
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