ACTION ALERT!

 

Action Needed to Stop Chronic Wasting Disease Research

on Rescued Deer Fawns and Elk Calves

 

It has been learned that Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) affiliated researchers are acquiring rescued deer fawns and elk calves from licensed Colorado wildlife rehabilitators for use in Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) experiments. Based upon information received through Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests, during the last several years, certain wildlife rehabilitators have turned over deer fawns and elk calves either to be used as test subjects in fatal CWD research projects or as food for mountain lions undergoing CWD research. Several rehabilitators have turned over all of their rescued animals to research, not releasing any to the wild. Many young animals die each year just from the trauma of being handled, separated from the does, transported or held in captivity for research purposes.  

 

In Colorado, regulations require that all rehabilitated wildlife be either released into the wild, or if non-releasable, euthanized. Under no circumstances is anything to be done to these animals, which could impair their potential for release. To rehabilitate animals and then turn them over for research is objectionable, highly unethical and illegal.

 

Specifically with regard to deer and elk, current regulations stipulate that they are to be taken to rehabilitation facilities located in the Game Management Units (GMU) from which the animals were found. After rehabilitation, they are to be subsequently released back into the same GMUs. If such a facility is not available, then regulations require  these animals be euthanized. The purpose for this regulation was allegedly to prevent the potential spread of CWD into other parts of the state.  However, with no evidence suggesting that deer fawns and elk calves are infected with CWD, much less are responsible for its spread, the regulation makes little sense and it should be changed. Other wildlife can be rehabilitated anywhere in the state and so should deer and elk. Restricting deer and elk to only one GMU is without justification and results in the unnecessary suffering and death of several animals who are potentially releasable each year.

 

For CDOW researchers to ask a rehabilitator for rescued animals, is like asking a doctor to use his/her patients as test subjects. Regardless of whether rehabilitators are turning over injured animals in exchange for monetary or other compensation or out of concern that the CDOW may otherwise revoke their licenses, the result is the same -- innocent animals who need and deserve professional care are being exploited.  

 

Everyone should be concerned when the public trust is broken. Well-meaning individuals who care about wildlife and deliver orphaned or injured animals to a wildlife rehabilitator, and often donate funds for their care, deserve to know the animals  will  be rehabilitated, and if not, euthanized. For the CDOW to expect rehabilitators to supply their ill-conceived research needs breaches the contract with the public and undermines trust in the CDOW. It is flagrantly deceptive and should never be allowed.     

 

Such practices must stop.  Please contact the following individuals immediately and  express your opposition to what is occurring.  Demand that the practice of rescued deer fawns and elk calves for research be terminated and that regulations be revised to  allow rehabilitators outside source GMUs to care for injured deer and elk.

 

Contacts:

 

Russell George

Executive Director

Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

1313 Sherman Street, Room 718

Denver, CO 80203

1-800-536-5308

303-866-3311

303-866-2115 (fax)

russell.george@state.co.us

 

Gary C. Miller

Colorado Division of Wildlife Mammal Research Leader

Fort Collins Wildlife Research Center

317 W. Prospect

Fort Collins, CO 80526

970-472-4308

970-472-4457 (fax)

gary.miller@state.co.us

 

Governor Bill Owens

136 State Capitol

Denver, CO 80203

1-800-283-7215

303-866-2471

303-866-2003 (fax)

governorowens@state.co.us

 

 

 

Points You May Want to Make:

 

• The current practice of wildlife rehabilitators surrendering rescued animals to researchers is in violation of Colorado law and their own professional code of ethics and must stop immediately. 

 

• The National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association’s Code of Ethics demands that  “a wildlife rehabilitator should place optimum animal care above personal gain” and “releasable animals should be maintained in a wild condition and released as soon as appropriate.”  “Non-releasable animals, which are inappropriate for education, foster-parenting, or captive breeding have a right to euthanasia.” 

 

• The public is entitled to be assured that any animals surrendered to licensed wildlife rehabilitators receive optimal care if deemed releasable, or euthanized if deemed non-releasable.  Without this assurance, it is highly probable that members of the public will be less likely to utilize the services of licensed rehabilitators, and seek other alternatives for injured/orphaned animals, leading to a host of potential problems – human health and safety, inappropriate wildlife care, etc. 

 

• Unless and until conclusive evidence indicates that young animals pose a disease threat, wildlife rehabilitators should be allowed to care for animals delivered to them regardless of the geographical source of the animals.