Giant coffins in Sybille Canyon used in ‘zombie’ disease study

Giant coffins in Sybille Canyon used in ‘zombie’ disease study

CASPER (WNE) — “Giant coffins” placed in Sybille Canyon are actually compost bins placed there by Wyoming Game and Fish to study chronic wasting disease. 

The bins are placed outside of the Game and Fish Wildlife Research Center at Sybille, according to Game and Fish. 

CWD is a chronic, fatal disease of the central nervous system that affects deer, elk and moose and is caused by abnormally folded proteins called prions. Late symptoms of the disease include weight loss, lethargy and drooling. 

“A major challenge associated with the spread of CWD is the ability for prions to persist in the environment. This can lead to contamination of habitats for years, facilitating the spread of the disease to new individuals through ingestion of contaminated forage,” according to a press release from Game and Fish. 

The “coffins” are studying the ability of the composting process to break down the prions that cause the disease. If the project is successful at reducing or eliminating CWD prions, it may provide another mechanism for disposal of CWD infected carcasses collected from the landscape or harvested by hunters, according to Game and Fish. 

Carcasses infected with CWD that break down naturally in the environment contribute to habitat contamination so researchers are studying if “a more robust decomposition process” could help reduce the amount of CWD prions left behind by carcasses containing CWD. 

Current means to dispose of infected animal carcasses include incineration or landfills. 

“Composting creates a highly alkaline [high pH] environment that can lead to intense microbial activity and high temperatures,” Game and Fish research biologist Brie Hashem said. “Those conditions promote protein breakdown, so we think CWD prions could be degraded or eliminated through that process.” 

The open-top bins were built in late May and contain temperature and moisture sensors that allow researchers to monitor composting conditions. 

This story was published on September 3, 2024.