Mountain lions a possible solution to ‘zombie deer’ disease

It’s significant news for Colorado that Chronic Wasting Disease has been detected in Yellowstone National Park.

CWD is where infectious proteins (prions) mutate and slowly kill cells, leaving holes like Swiss cheese in the brain; the body wastes away, and death is always certain. Also called “zombie deer disease,” it will transform lithe, prancing deer into thin, frail and stumbling ghosts of themselves.

CWD has been reported in a whopping 31 states — infecting 40 out of 54 deer herds, in Colorado, where the infection began — it spreads through bodily fluids and there is no treatment or cure. In humans it’s called Creutzfeldt-jakob disease. Infectious disease experts warn that CWD could more broadly affect people as it mutates and adapts, or by ingesting infected animals.

Is there any hope? Yes, in mountain lions.

The North American lion has proven to selectively target infected deer; these predators are most efficient at lessening transmission and prevalence of CWD left in our wild places.

Protecting lions is our best chance to help slow the rapid spread of CWD and protect human health and wildlife. Boosting or restoring predator populations would undoubtedly help improve deer numbers and healthy herds.

As one of the most misunderstood and critical animals, it’s time we find some gratitude this holiday season for these awesome predators who bring vast ecological and health benefits to this world because it’s clearly in their nature.

Every Coloradan can meaningfully do their part to save 500 individual lions each year by simply gathering signatures for a 2024 ballot measure to end the unnecessary, unsporting, immensely cruel and unwarranted killing of a vital apex predator just to own their head and hide. Please visit www.catsarenttrophies.org and sign up today.

— Julie Marshall, National Communications Coordinator, Center for a Humane Economy