Lawmakers address Chronic Wasting Disease impact on Kentucky's elk population

Concerns over Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) took center stage at the Kentucky House Standing Committee on Tourism & Outdoor Recreation meeting, as lawmakers discussed the potential impact on the state's elk population and tourism industry. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for preventive measures to protect Kentucky's thriving elk herd, which is considered one of the greatest conservation successes in North America.

A key speaker emphasized the risk of CWD spreading into Eastern Kentucky, where significant efforts have been made to build the elk population and promote elk hunting tourism. "There is far too much to lose if we sit here and do nothing," the speaker warned, referencing the disease's devastating effects observed in other states. Citing New York's successful response to CWD, which included a five-year containment program, the speaker advocated for similar proactive measures in Kentucky.

The discussion underscored the importance of prevention, with lawmakers acknowledging that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure for this incurable disease. The committee recognized that Kentucky is among the last states facing such a critical situation regarding CWD, making it imperative to learn from the experiences of other states.

As the meeting concluded, the urgency for a comprehensive strategy to safeguard the elk population and, by extension, the tourism economy was clear. The committee's actions in the coming weeks will be pivotal in determining the future of Kentucky's wildlife and tourism sectors.