A recent outbreak of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has left many does orphaned as their parents become “zombie deer.” We spoke with real park rangers about what this means and how it might affect us:
Q: What is CWD?
A: Chronic Wasting Disease is a neurodegenerative disease affecting deer. It causes decay of brain tissue which can make deer behave strangely and sometimes aggressively. The disease is caused by prions, or mis-folded proteins. A common misconception is prions are contracted through cannibalism. While cannibalism can pass along prions, they can also polute water and land as well as pass from mother to child in the birth canal. Prion diseases like CWD are extremely rare and we aren’t yet sure what caused this outbreak.
Q: Are the zombie deer dangerous to people?
A: Deer affected by CWD can be uncharacteristically aggressive. All people, including wildlife hunters, should stay away from these deer. If they spot a deer exhibiting uncanny behavior, or that appears diseased or injured, they should retreat and inform their local wildlife office of the deer’s location. Prions have been known to cross species. Contaminated deer meat is not safe for consumption.
Q: So people are turning into zombies too?
A: What? No. Nothing is turning into zombies. Many deer are simply contracting a strangely rapid form of a well-known neurodegenerative disease. They aren’t zombies.
Q: Right, but they’re eating each other?
A: No, they are not eating each other. Maybe some are, but that’s before they get the disease. They aren’t zombies.
There you have it, be sure to avoid and report all zombie deer. Local hunters’ guilds have advised, “You can kill those shits with a bullet to the head. But leave that to those of us with a license. Gun safety and all.”
Have more questions about CWD? Keep up with our newsstream for all the latest in zombies and more.