Report sick cervids (deer, moose, elk or caribou)

If you encounter a cervid (deer, moose, elk or caribou) in Ontario that is showing signs of CWD, report your observation by either:

• completing this form
• calling the Wildlife Health Information Line 1-888-574-6656 or by emailing CWD@ontario.ca

We’ll use your feedback to:

1. Follow up on the sighting by having experts review the details you provide.
2. If the animal is still alive, we will refer to the appropriate resource (e.g. ministry work center, animal control, wildlife rehabilitator) and offer to coordinate with them.
3. If the animal is recently deceased and showed signs of illness typical of CWD or other diseases of concern, we will attempt to collect it for testing.
4. We will track the report to help inform future actions.

In each case, the CWD surveillance team may call or email you to discuss additional details of your sighting.

Signs of CWD

Cervids infected with CWD may appear normal for several years before signs of illness are visible. Animals infected with CWD may exhibit:

• severe loss of body weight and body condition
• abnormal behaviour, including indifference to human activity
• tremors, stumbling, lack of coordination or paralysis
• excessive drinking and urination
• excessive salivation or drooling
• drooping head or ears

Some of these signs may also be seen in other diseases, conditions or injuries.

This report will take 2 to 10 minutes to complete.

This survey will stay open. Your responses will help us monitor the health of cervids in Ontario and will help support a quick and effective response should CWD enter Ontario.