BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR)- The Blacksburg Police Department has approval to conduct deer culling operations at night in an effort to reduce the potential spread of chronic wasting disease.
The operation was approved at by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). It will take place at night over the next few months throughout Blacksburg. Officials said participating officers will be in unmarked police vehicles.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose, according to DWR. It is transmitted from infected animals through feces, saliva, and urine.
Deer rescued from Botetourt County retention pond
Animals infected with chronic wasting disease can show the following symptoms:
- loss of coordination
- droopy head or ears
- lack of fear of humans
- excessive drooling
- extreme emaciation
Contact the DWR Wildlife Conflict Line at 1-855-571-9003 if you notice a deer, elk, or moose with neurological signs of CWD. Please document the location of the animal. Do not make contact, disturb, kill, or remove the animal without DWR permission…