Hunters Warned After Anthrax Detected in Wyoming Moose

The moose was found near the town of Elk Mountain in the southeastern part of the state, according to a press release from WGFD. CWD has been prevalent in the area for 20 years and is a priority monitoring area for elk herds. There are also multiple livestock grazing allotments in the region, and the Wyoming Livestock Board recently confirmed that cattle near Elk Mountain have tested positive for anthrax.

Anthrax is a naturally occurring bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The spores can survive in soil for decades and often emerge when the ground is disturbed. Summer months, when conditions alternate between rain and hot, dry weather, make a perfect storm for these spores to become active.

Animals become infected with the disease when they breathe in, eat, or drink spores in contaminated soil, plants, or water. People typically get infected by coming in contact with infected animals; by breathing, eating, or drinking the spores; or if the spores come in contact with a cut or scrape in the skin.

The disease can be transmitted between livestock, wildlife, and humans. It is most commonly seen in herbivores, including cattle, deer, and bison, along with elk, moose, and pronghorn. Carnivores tend to be more resilient to the disease, and large outbreaks are infrequent.

Early signs of anthrax are hard to distinguish but can include respiratory difficulty and disorientation. However, animals typically die promptly after infection. After death, infected animals tend to bloat very quickly, and black, tarry blood may come out of natural body openings like the nose, mouth, or anus.

This is the only confirmed case of anthrax in wildlife in the state at the time. For reference, the last confirmed case found in wildlife in Wyoming was in 1956 in Sublette County.

While this may be an isolated incident, WGFD recommends that hunters take certain logical precautions, including avoiding harvesting an animal that looks sick, not handling dead cattle or wildlife, wearing gloves while field dressing, keeping pets away from carcasses, and not picking up roadkill in the Elk Mountain area.

If you happen across a carcass that you suspect might be infected, take note of the GPS location and report a wildlife incident online or call the WGFD health lab. And if you think you came in contact with an anthrax-infected animal, seek medical attention immediately.

Feature images via Wikimedia Commons/Ryan Hodnett.