Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease affecting cervids such as deer, elk, moose, and caribou. First detected in British Columbia in January 2024, CWD poses risks to wildlife populations, ecosystem health, and communities that rely on cervids for food or cultural practices. 

This project is developing a Genomics Pillar as part of BC’s CWD management program, using population and landscape genomics to understand deer movement, population structure, and susceptibility to disease. By combining a systematic review of CWD management approaches, genomics-based tools, and stakeholder engagement, we aim to guide evidence-informed management strategies, strengthen disease surveillance, and build long-term provincial capacity to respond to CWD effectively and sustainably – protecting wildlife, supporting communities, and building a model for adaptable disease management across species and landscapes.