Banff on alert after disease found in elk

Saskatchewan cases the first in Canada

Cathy Ellis, For The Calgary Herald

Published: Saturday, August 16, 2008

Banff National Park officials are keeping close tabs on the local elk population after the first cases of chronic wasting disease in wild elk showed up in Saskatchewan.

Deer in Alberta and Saskatchewan have tested positive for the disease -- a fatal brain illness of mule deer, white-tailed deer and elk. But officials in Saskatchewan report this is the first time it has been found in wild elk in Canada.

Jesse Whittington, wildlife specialist for Banff National Park, said chronic wasting disease is one of the most important diseases that Parks Canada monitors for, and has been doing so for several years now.

Banff on alert after disease found in elk