Beaver carcass on Gunnison River tests positive for bacterial disease

GUNNISON, Colo. (KREX) - A beaver found dead at Gunnison River Whitewater Park tested positive for tularemia, a zoonotic bacterial disease, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

The carcass was examined by CPW’s Wildlife Pathologist and sent to Colorado State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which confirmed the presence of tularemia. This disease can infect humans and other animals, with species affected in Colorado including rabbits, hares, beavers and other rodents.

Tularemia is caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis and can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated properly. Infection is usually transmitted through ticks, biting flies and fleas. Wild carnivores and pets can become infected by eating infected carcasses, and any species can be infected through tick,