There’s still a need for deer road kill to monitor the health of local wildlife.
The bovine tuberculosis monitoring program is still underway in the Cherryville and Lumby area even though the 2016 hunting season is over.
“The deer heads submitted are being sampled for bovine tuberculosis in response to positive cases in cattle in the Cherryville area several years ago,” said Susan Latimer, contractor.
“We are testing to ensure that it has not become endemic to the wildlife as once the disease is established in a wildlife population, it is difficult to eradicate.”
A total of 79 heads have been collected so far this hunting season.
“Unfortunately, we are still 61 heads short of reaching our total of 300 heads. This number is necessary to provide statistically relevant results,” said Latimer.
If you happen to see adult deer or moose-retrievable road kill with the head intact, call 250-547-9207 or text 250-309-0058 with the date and location in as much detail.
“I will attempt to retrieve the head for the program,” said Latimer.
Those who report suitable heads that can be retrieved will be offered hats from the B.C. Wildlife Federation Hats for Heads program, which supports the submission of heads for wildlife health monitoring.
