Delicious rabies vaccine bait to fall from the sky around southern Ontario

For skunks, raccoons and foxes this will be better than the Hunger Games.

As recent cases of rabies have popped up in Ontario, the government will start vaccine bait drops this summer in order to curb the spread of the disease in wildlife, and ultimately, people. 

Next month, planes and helicopters will fly over Eastern and Southern Ontario as Ministry of Natural Resources staff target rural or forested areas with the tasty treats for skunks, foxes and raccoons to gobble up.

The baits, which are essentially vanilla-flavoured bits of lard, are small and khaki green.

“If you see baits, please do not disturb them,” the province says.

At the same time, ground crews will spend the summer and late fall hand-dropping baits in urban areas.

Hot spots for the critters include Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford, Toronto, Kitchener and Niagara Falls.

Don’t worry, exposure to a bait is not harmful to people or pets.

However, if a person or a pet does stumble upon – or event consume – the bait, contact your doctor or veterinarian as a precaution.

This air-drop strategy is working.

Since 1989, the province has cut the number of rabies cases in the province significantly.

Still, it is a problem and if you contract the disease and symptoms develop, you will die.

Photos Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

 

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Recovering newspaper reporter.

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