Source: KKTV 11
A beaver found dead on the Gunnison River in Colorado has tested positive for tularemia, a zoonotic bacterial disease caused by Francisella tularensis, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The infection, confirmed by Colorado State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, can affect rabbits, hares, beavers, squirrels, and other rodents, and occasionally infects domestic animals and humans.
Tularemia spreads through ticks, flies, fleas, or by handling or consuming infected animals. Hunters and trappers are particularly at risk when skinning carcasses or field dressing animals without protective measures. The bacteria can also spread through contaminated food, water, or inhalation of particles from infected carcasses. CPW advises against handling sick or dead wildlife and recommends using gloves when field dressing. Although tularemia cases in Colorado wildlife occur only a few times annually, CPW urges residents to seek medical attention if they develop fever, skin lesions, or other symptoms after potential exposure.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.kktv.com/2025/11/02/beaver-found-dead-colorado-river-tests-positive-bacterial-disease/