Game and Fish
Photo: Wyoming Game and Fish
Wastewater testing indicates no evidence of zebra mussels in municipal systems
WGF tested water samples from several Wyoming cities By Sara DiRienzo, Wyoming Game and Fish No DNA evidence of invasive zebra mussels was found in recent municipal wastewater testing throughout Wyoming. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department tested water samples from Cheyenne, Laramie, Casper, Sheridan, Gillette and Rock Springs for a three-month period from the first week in March through June, following the discovery of zebra mussels in moss balls, a popular aquarium plant. “These initial test results are promising,” said Brian Nesvik, director of Game and Fish. “We’re glad to get negative results but we know zebra mussels are hearty and their life cycle is long. Continued monitoring remains important before we confidently know that zebra mussels have not spread in Wyoming.” Game and Fish collaborated with the Wyoming Department of Health to test water samples that were already collected for COVID-19 testing. The samples were tested at the Game and Fish Wildlife Forensic and Fish Health Lab in Laramie. The Game and Fish lab will continue to test water samples collected by the Department of Health for the foreseeable future. Game and Fish has also begun testing natural waters throughout the state. This testing occurs annually to look for zebra and quagga mussels, along with other aquatic invasive species. The monitoring effort will continue through October, and has been expanded to additional waters. Since March, Game and Fish and the Wyoming Department
of Agriculture, with the support of other state agencies, have been responding to the discovery of zebra mussels on moss balls. The organizations are part of an emergency response team conveyed by Wyoming Gov. Gordon to protect Wyoming’s natural resources and infrastructure. “Wyoming was one of the most proactive responders when zebra mussels were identified on moss balls, and it was an issue that impacted 48 states,” Nesvik said. “We led robust communication efforts, were the first state to issue a quarantine order for moss balls and put this monitoring into action. We’re grateful for the collaboration from all agencies who have helped respond quickly and who are invested in keeping zebra mussels out of Wyoming.” Moss balls remain under a quarantine order, and people with moss balls and aquariums are still encouraged to avoid pouring water down their drains or flushing plants. Instead, aquarists should boil their aquarium water for 10 minutes before pouring outside away from natural water. “Never pour your aquarium water into a pond, river or lake or let any pets loose into the wild,” said Josh Leonard, Game and Fish AIS coordinator. “It can have devastating impacts to Wyoming’s water.” For more information on aquatic invasive species and the efforts to keep AIS out of Wyoming visit the Game and Fish website. n
G&F seeks information on mule deer poaching south of Afton Jackson - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is seeking any information regarding a mule deer buck that was illegally shot along Highway 89 between the towns of Afton and Cokeville, Wyoming, between 11:00-11:40 a.m. on Tuesday, August 17. Cokeville Game Warden Cody Schoonover received multiple reports of an injured buck mule deer, possibly hit by a motor vehicle, laying at the Packstring Creek trailhead approximately 23 miles south of Afton. Warden Schoonover arrived to the scene at 11:45 a.m. and found the deer had been illegally killed and the head removed. Anyone with possible information regarding this poaching in-
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cident, or who was in the area and may have noted suspicious vehicles or activities, is encouraged to call Cokeville Game Warden Cody Schoonover at 307-279-3466, the stop poaching hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847) or the Green River Game and Fish office at 1-800-843-8096. Any information leading to the arrest and conviction may result in a reward of up to $5,000.00. n
