Vaccination without capture: wild animals in Mykolaiv and Odesa regions are being protected against rabies

In the hunting grounds of Mykolaiv and Odesa regions, wild animals are being vaccinated against rabies using edible baits. The vaccine-laced briquettes are left in areas where animals live. The campaign aims to curb the spread of the disease in the wild and reduce the risk of infection among pets and people. According to facebook.com.

The vaccination campaign was announced by the Southern Forestry Office branch. Up to 10 teams distribute the baits each day, following a rate of 25 doses per square kilometer.

The campaign involves:

• state forest protection staff from State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine”;
• gamekeepers;
• specialists from the State Production and Consumer Service;
• local hunters.

The vaccine is concealed inside an edible briquette that smells of meat-and-bone meal. When an animal bites into it, it receives the vaccine, which helps build immunity. This method avoids the need to capture the animals.

Vaccination of foxes and raccoon dogs is planned for Voznesensk District. The vaccine will be distributed by land transport: using aircraft for this purpose, as was done before the war, is currently prohibited.

If you find a bait, follow these rules:

• do not touch the briquette, break it open, or move it;
• do not take the bait home to give to livestock or pets;
• explain to children that these briquettes are not for eating or playing with;
• keep dogs on a leash during walks and do not let them pick up the baits.

We previously reported:

• Nearly 2,400 reports following bites: Mykolaiv region has already surpassed the annual figures for 2023 and 2024
• Baits containing rabies vaccine to be distributed in Mykolaiv region
• Rabies on a leash: 15 unvaccinated pets bit their owners in Mykolaiv region last year
• Dangerous diseases in focus: African swine fever and rabies in Mykolaiv region
• Using aircraft and baits, animals in Mykolaiv region will be vaccinated against rabies