Unidentified Deer Spotted in Raquette Point
Oct 7, 2015
AKWESASNE, NY—The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Environment Division is notifying local residents about sightings of an unidentified deer species in the vicinity of Raquette Point. Photographs and reports of the deer’s sighting have been received from the area around Twin Leaf Gas & Tobacco and the former-General Motors Site beginning on Monday, October 6, 2015.
The origin of the deer is unknown at this time however, community members are being asked to please exercise caution. There is suspicion the deer may have been raised in captivity. If so, there is concern for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which is not transmittable to humans, but can be passed along to wild deer.
Chronic Wasting Disease was first recorded on deer farms and spread to wild deer. Farms with captive deer are required to be certified through a CWD Herd Certification Program, which requires adequate handling and fencing.
As a result, while the unidentified deer remains at large it continues to pose a risk to our local wild deer populations. For precaution, Hunters of wild deer should not handle meat with bare hands; particularly brains, nerves or lymph glands. Hunters are also encouraged to fully cook deer meat.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has been notified and a wildlife biologist will be working with the Tribe’s Environmental Technicians on identifying the deer species.
Individuals are asked to please report sightings, including remains, to the Environment Division by calling (518) 358-5937.
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Please direct media inquiries to the Communications Department at 518-358-2272.