Whitetail deer (File photo: Jackie Johnson)
A commercial herd of 228 whitetail deer in Eau Claire County had to be destroyed this week, after a seven-year-old doe on the farm tested positive for chronic wasting disease.
The state Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection said the first positive test came back in June, while two additional deer tested positive in September and October.
State and federal officials began the process of depopulating the 163 adults and 65 fawns on Monday, and wrapped up work Wednesday afternoon. The animals were euthanized using a combination of injectable euthanasia and sharpshooting.
DATCP said preliminary tests done on animals destroyed during the first two days showed an additional 23 deer were positive for CWD. The number could rise, with more tests still pending.