NGPC asking for public help in reporting sick big game animals

LINCOLN, NEB. - Nebraska Game and Parks is asking for the public’s help in reporting an occurring illness in Nebraska’s big game.

“This time is when we see EHD or blue tongue virus… That’s the one we’re focusing on right now and that’s the one we’re hoping the public will help us out with reporting.”

Todd Nordeen is the Big Game Disease and Research Manager for Game and Parks and notes a number of diseases are impacting the Elk, Deer, and Pronghorn populations throughout the state. However, none are bigger than EHD.

In asking for the public’s help, he says sick animals can be seen close to water, due to running a fever and can lose fear of humans, but outward signs are noticeable as well.

“Their head could be dropping, ears drooping, walking sporadically and abnormally.”

With hunting season on horizon, Noreen says EHD isn’t transmittable to humans, but still reccommends personal protective equipment when working with harvested meat.

And while Game and Parks has detections across the state, one region has had more than others.

“They’ve been a little bit more significant in the northeast part of the state,” Noreen said. “Often it can be due to drought conditions, so if there are areas of drought where water sources are minimal, we often see higher infection rates.”

Noreen says the public’s help is crucial.

“We do have staff around the state, but we can’t get out and about as much and the public with their daily duties and their recreation, they’re out there and may see them more often than we do.”

Anyone who does encounter a sick big game animal is asked to call their local Nebraska Game and Parks District Office.