In a swift move to combat the encroachment of a deadly wildlife disease, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has clamped down on the feeding of certain wild animals in selected parts of Spokane County. The new emergency rule, which targets the act of feeding deer, elk, and moose, is specifically designed to slow the transmission of chronic wasting disease (CWD), an affliction that can prove fatal for these animals.

The presence of CWD within Washington's borders compels an immediate response. By banning wildlife feeding in predefined areas, WDFW aims to interrupt the spread of CWD, which is conveyed through prions, abnormal proteins capable of causing neurodegenerative disease. According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, these prions can taint the environment and spread between individuals through feces, saliva, urine, and other bodily fluids.

The imposition of the wildlife feeding ban seeks to also address other detrimental effects of human interaction with wildlife. As reported by the WDFW, such feeding practices can lead to undesirable consequences, including animals becoming aggressive towards humans and pets, and a higher incidence of road crossings by wild animals, which increases the risk of accidents. These new rules have been placed into immediate effect within Game Management Units (GMU) 124, 127, and 130, all located in the proximity of a recorded CWD case earlier this year.

Notwithstanding the new regulations, the WDFW clarifies that routine agricultural practices, such as crop harvesting and domestic livestock feeding, do not fall under the restrictions of this emergency rule. For those seeking to fully understand the scope of the ban, the complete emergency rule text can be found on the WDFW’s website. The agency also encourages the public to help by reporting sightings of sick or dead deer, elk, or moose.