Protection of natural resources: investigating the cellular mechanisms of CWD infection in free-ranging mule deer populations

This $307,095.54 Cooperative Agreement was awarded on September 1, 2024 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) under the Wildlife Services program (CFDA 10.028). The award supports Colorado State University's research into the cellular mechanisms of chronic wasting disease (CWD) infection in free-ranging mule deer populations. The project aims to investigate the disease transmission and ecology within these wild deer populations in order to develop improved management strategies for protecting natural resources. The award will fund activities such as wildlife population monitoring, sample collection and testing, diagnostic method development, and education and outreach. This work contributes to the Wildlife Services program's broader efforts to reduce damage caused by wildlife species that can transmit zoonotic diseases.