Beaver found dead on Colorado river tests positive for bacterial disease

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - A beaver found dead on the Gunnison River reportedly tested positive for the zoonotic disease, tularemia.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the agency’s Wildlife Pathologist examined the animal and submitted it to Colorado State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which confirmed that it was positive for the disease.

CPW said tularemia is a bacterial disease that can infect humans and other animals.

In Colorado, the disease can affect species including rabbits, hares, beavers and other rodents. It is less commonly found in other species, including domestic animals and humans, wildlife officials said.

According to CPW, tularemia is caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis. Infection with this type of bacteria is deadly in sp