Raccoon rabies, which mainly affects raccoons, skunks and foxes, can be controlled. Using their knowledge of animal behaviour, biologists can target intervention areas to limit the spread of raccoon rabies. This allows the government to carry out targeted vaccination operations that take into account the environmental features that limit the natural dispersal of wild animals. However, human intervention can compromise these efforts.
Raccoon rabies, which mainly affects raccoons, skunks and foxes, can be controlled. Using their knowledge of animal behaviour, biologists can target intervention areas to limit the spread of raccoon rabies. This allows the government to carry out targeted vaccination operations that take into account the environmental features that limit the natural dispersal of wild animals. However, human intervention can compromise these efforts.
When someone moves a nuisance animal, or an animal they want to “help", to an area free of raccoon rabies, that’s where things get complicated for biologists! Because people themselves contribute to spreading rabies over a large area by moving raccoons, skunks and foxes. Even if relocating a raccoon a few kilometres away seems harmless, or even useful for resolving a cohabitation problem, this action can have far-reaching consequences. Once removed from its home territory, that raccoon may travel many more kilometres to find a new suitable place to settle, and spread rabies... far beyond the area where it originated.
In short, to keep things simple, never move a small wild animal like a raccoon. It’s simple: if the idea crosses your mind, don’t do it.