Bovine Tuberculosis in Wildlife

If you see sick or dead fish or wildlife, report them to the Ministry of Environment at 1-800-567-4224 (toll-free).

In response to the detections of bovine TB in two unrelated cattle herds in the province in early 2023 and late 2024, the Ministry of Environment is conducting mandatory bovine TB surveillance of draw and regular season elk, mule deer, and white-tailed deer harvested in WMZs 37 and 39 for the 2025-26 hunting season. Hunters hunting in these zones are asked to submit heads from harvested animals for bovine TB testing within one month from the time of harvest at designated drop-off locations.

About Bovine Tuberculosis

Bovine TB is a contagious chronic bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis. This is a different strain of bacteria than the one that causes TB in humans (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). The disease causes chronic debilitation and weight loss and typically affects the respiratory system of affected animals.

Bovine TB primarily affects domestic cattle. Domestic species such as goats, pigs, cats and dogs, as well as species of wildlife such as bison, elk, moose and deer may also be susceptible. The disease can infect most warm-blooded animals, including humans, although cases in species other than cattle, elk and bison are rare. Bovine Tb has never been detected in wildlife in Saskatchewan.

Bovine TB Infographic

Submitting Your Animal for Bovine TB Testing

In response to the detection of bovine TB in a Saskatchewan cattle farm in late 2024, following an separate, unrelated detection in a cattle farm in the province in 2023, the Ministry of Environment is conducting mandatory disease surveillance of regular season and draw elk, mule deer, and white-tailed deer harvested in WMZs 37 and 39. Testing is being conducted to ensure wildlife populations are free of bovine TB. Hunters are required to submit their heads for bovine TB testing within one month from the time the animal was harvested or prior to January 21, 2026, whichever comes sooner. Voluntary submission of moose in these zones is encouraged.

The process to submit a head for bovine TB testing is the same as for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing. To submit a head for bovine TB testing, hunters must first acquire a unique tracking number by entering their harvest information online at Chronic Wasting Disease Saskatchewan. Heads should be double-bagged with the tracking number either securely attached to the outside of the bag or placed in a ziplock bag inside the bag. Heads can then be dropped off at any regular CWD drop-off location. The whole head is required to be submitted for bovine TB testing. Additional lymph nodes from the head are required for bovine TB testing, as compared to CWD testing, so hunter collected samples are not suitable for bovine TB testing. An updated list of drop off locations can be found at saskatchewan.ca/cwd. Any submitted heads will be tested for both bovine TB and CWD.

As bovine TB has not previously been detected in wildlife in the province, hunters will only be notified of their animal’s bovine TB result if the animal tests positive for the disease. CWD results will be posted online. Hunters can use the tracking number they received when registering their submission to look up their CWD result at saskatchewan.ca/cwd.

Please Note: Hunters who wish to have their deer, elk, or moose mounted can make arrangements with their taxidermist to pick up the head after it has been processed and submit it for testing. Heads with skull caps removed are suitable for testing. Hunters who wish to have their animal Euro mounted can access Ministry of Environment sampling stations on select dates and locations. Technicians will be available on-site to remove the required samples for bovine TB and CWD testing and for tooth aging. Submitting samples collected at sampling stations can also expedite the CWD test result process for hunters.

Drop-off sites and sampling stations

Sampling station schedule (pdf)

Safe Field Dressing Practices

While it is possible for bovine TB to spread from animals to people, the likelihood is extremely rare. Humans may acquire bovine tuberculosis through unpasteurized milk and dairy products. The risk of humans contracting bovine TB from animals while field dressing is very remote. There has only been a single documented case of bovine TB transmission from a white-tailed deer to a human through exposure during the field dressing process. Regardless, hunters are encouraged to practice routine hygiene precautions while handling wildlife, including regular hand washing, cleaning knives and equipment, and ensuring meat is well cooked. Cooking meat to an internal temperature of 74°C (164°F) destroys the bacteria.

As a general precaution, it is recommended that hunters:

• Avoid direct contact with blood, feces and respiratory secretions of all wild game. Do not rub your eyes, eat, drink or smoke while cleaning game.
• Wear dish gloves or latex/plastic gloves when handling and processing game.
• Wash tools, work surfaces, and other equipment with soap and warm water, then with a 10 per cent solution of household bleach.
• Work in a well-ventilated environment. If working indoors or in a poorly ventilated environment, wear a mask to reduce your exposure to aerosols.
• Cook meat thoroughly.

What to Look For

An animal infected with bovine TB may have lesions in their lungs, rib cage or chest cavity that hunters will notice when field dressing the animal. The lesions can vary in size and texture and will be white, tan or yellow. An infected animal may also have enlarged lymph nodes.

If you find bovine TB-like lesions, take a photo if possible and contact the Ministry of Environment at 1‑800‑567‑4224 or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 306‑966‑5815.