Tissue samples from a group of deer that recently died along the Clinton River in southeast Michigan have been sent to the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health at Michigan State University to determine why they died. Initial tests by the Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Disease Lab show that the deer did not have Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), two diseases of particular interest in Michigan. Final toxicology and virology reports are pending.

Approximately 20 deer died in a three-week period along a six-mile stretch of the Clinton River in Bloomer Park in Rochester. Necropsies were performed at the DNR's Wildlife Disease Lab in Lansing on deer that were in good enough condition to examine. Several diseases were ruled out, but no common cause of death was found. One deer submitted for testing and necropsy died of a fractured skull, but also showed evidence of a bacterial infection, said Tom Cooley, DNR wildlife biologist who performed the necropsies.

"We have sent tissue samples and stomach contents out for further testing to try to determine what killed the deer," Cooley said. "We were glad to rule out CWD and other diseases, and hope the lab at Michigan State University can help us solve this mystery."

Citizens discovering a significant die-off of any wildlife species should report it to the DNR for investigation. An online form to report sick or dead wildlife is available on the state's Emerging Diseases Web site at www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases. The Web site also contains information on a wide array of animal diseases present in Michigan, including CWD. Citizens may also call their local DNR Operations Service Center to report significant wildlife die-offs.