Oh Deer!

By Ava Ivery – Student Conservation Intern, 2023-24 School Year

Ava Ivey looking for the lymph nodes. Photo credits: Analise Cooper

For the past seven months, I have spent my time working as a Student Conservation Intern with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (INDNR), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the Newton County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), all here in Newton County. While I have had a taste for a large amount to do with conservation, I have had a pick of favorites. The most memorable experience that has changed my perspective on nature and the wildlife around me was the day I spent sampling deer for chronic wasting disease (CWD) sampling. 

For the internship, I was based at Lasalle FWA. Some things I have been able to be a part of at LaSalle FWA include wetland management, invasive plant species removal, and waterfowl inventory surveys. When I heard about the opportunity to do CWD sampling and work alongside a deer biologist, as well as knowledgeable staff with IDNR, I was more than eager to jump in on that opportunity. Analise and Karalyn, two other student conservation interns, also planned on attending the sampling. 

CWD kills white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. It belongs to a class of illnesses known as prion diseases. Sheep scrapie and mad cow disease are two more prion diseases that are very similar to CWD and affect domestic livestock. CWD has not been proven to affect humans, but some experimental studies have shown that it may be possible. Animal bodily fluids, such as blood, urine, feces, or saliva, can spread CWD either directly through direct contact or indirectly by environmental contamination of food, water, plants, and/or soil. (DNR (in.gov)) 

Symptoms of CWD include drastic weight loss, droopy head and ears, and lack of coordination. Deer infected by this disease also have behavioral changes, which can lead to the loss of their fear in humans. It can remain in an exposed environment for up to 10 years, which makes it spreadable. There is no cure for CWD as of right now, and is always fatal for cervids (deer, elk, moose, reindeer, etc.)

During my time at the CWD testing station, I was able to learn a lot about how sampling is done by the employees who surrounded me. This included collecting lymph nodes, placing taxidermist tags, learning how to age a deer, and obtaining blood samples. The reason for collecting the lymph nodes is because they hold the infectious proteins when an animal has an infection. Along with the blood samples, the lymph nodes will be sent to the Purdue diagnostics lab for testing. The taxidermist tag is put through the tongue of a deer that is going to be mounted. This will let the taxidermist know that the hunter wants his/her deer to be tested and will allow any tissue samples to be taken in a less visual way. Hunters will be able to receive their deer’s test results via email or phone call shortly after the testing is done.

Something else I was able to take from this experience is that there is always more to something than you think. Going from working at LaSalle doing land management to being hands-on with deer and learning about their anatomy opened my eyes to the many different career choices that are available in wildlife conservation. Seeing the cooperation between hunters and the DNR, I now want to help protect wildlife habitat and the animals within it. In particular, deer have hunting seasons and regulations that allow their populations to stay at a reasonable number, keeping them healthy and maintaining the habitat they utilize.

Anytime I am given the opportunity to talk about my favorite experience during the internship, I always jump right to CWD sampling. I was able to make connections with a deer biologist and DNR employees who helped me learn a lot of information in a short amount of time and build a good friendship with the other interns during the day at the check-in station. The Newton County Student Conservation Internship has not only given me opportunities for amazing things in high school, but it has also provided me with a job that I love to do.

Ava Ivey posing next to a deer that she placed a taxidermist tag in. Photo Credits: Analise Cooper

Ava Ivey assisting with aging of the deer. Photo credits: Analise Cooper