Deer-zaster in Maryland: The Rise of the 'Zombie Deer' at National Parks

In a twist straight out of a horror movie, white-tailed deer in Maryland's national parks have tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), earning them the unofficial title of "zombie deer." According to the National Park Service, CWD is a contagious, fatal disease that causes physiological and behavioral changes, leading to starvation and death. Some of these changes include depression, altered gait, head tremors, and circling - truly a deer apocalypse in the making!

Park officials discovered two infected deer at the Antietam National Battlefield and one at the Monocacy National Battlefield during deer reduction operations. These operations aim to protect vegetation, preserve historic landscapes, and apparently, fend off the impending deer zombie apocalypse.

CWD, initially found in Colorado and Wyoming, made its way to Maryland in 2010, but it's only in 2024 that deer in the state's national parks have tested positive. The disease spreads through direct animal-to-animal contact or indirect contact with infected particles in the environment. While CWD doesn't infect humans or domestic animals, park visitors are advised to steer clear of venison from infected deer and avoid sick or dead wildlife in the park.

So, if you find yourself face-to-face with a "zombie deer" in Maryland's national parks, just remember - it's not the apocalypse, it's just nature's way of keeping things interesting.