Latest news with #WildlifeServices
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Spring rabies vaccine bait distribution program to begin next week
May 9—WATERTOWN — The United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services program will distribute oral rabies vaccine baits in Jefferson County. Bait distribution in New York state is part of a nationwide, cooperative effort by the USDA to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies in the eastern U.S. Wildlife Services typically distributes the rabies vaccine baits throughout Jefferson County in August each year. This additional bait drop will distribute baits in northern regions of Jefferson County to prevent the spread of rabies. Areas along the St. Lawrence River, the city of Watertown and LeRay will have an increased number of baits distributed, as these areas have had persistent rabies cases. Weather permitting, the baits will be distributed by air beginning Monday and continuing through Wednesday. Baiting will be done both aerially with low flying aircraft and with ground baiting, by hand in some areas. Distribution of baits is weather dependent and inclement weather may result in extended distribution. Each vaccine-containing bait consists of a plastic blister pack coated with a sweet attractant to entice animals to eat the bait. When raccoons, foxes, skunks and coyotes eat the bait, they become vaccinated against rabies, which helps stops the spread of the deadly disease. Anyone who finds an oral rabies vaccine bait is asked to follow these simple steps: —Leave the bait untouched, unless it is in a lawn or driveway. Instruct children to leave the baits alone. —If intact bait is found in areas frequented by children or pets, pick it up with paper towels/gloves and toss it into a brushy or forested area. —If the bait is broken, the liquid should be visible. Use gloves to place the bait into a plastic bag. Cover the bait with 1:10 dilution of bleach and wipe down affected areas with bleach solution. Place the cleaning materials in a bag and dispose of in it with regular garbage. n If you have contact with a bait, wash your skin with soap and water. Contact the phone number on the bait or call Jefferson County Public Health Service at 315-786-3700 for further guidance. —Do not attempt to remove a bait from a pet, as you may be bitten. The bait is not harmful to pets. If by chance numerous baits are consumed, the pet may get an upset stomach. If a pet ingests a bait, avoid getting the pet's saliva into your eyes, mucous membranes or skin lesions for 24 hours. Always notify your medical provider or Jefferson County Public Health if you are bitten by a pet or a wild animal. Additionally, keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination. Jefferson County Public Health is hosting spring rabies vaccination clinics at Jefferson County Dog Control from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15 and Thursday, June 19. More information can be found online at
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The US government killed nearly 2 million wild animals last year. Why?
An obscure arm of the federal government killed almost 2 million wild animals last year using a variety of methods, including firearms, poisons, and traps that ensnare an animal's neck, feet, or entire body. Carried out by the US Department of Agriculture's euphemistically named Wildlife Services department, the 2024 body count included over 2,000 green iguanas, almost 1,700 red-tailed hawks, and 614 armadillos, according to recently published data. The sub-agency even unintentionally killed one golden eagle, a species protected by federal law. Wildlife Services kills animals for a wide variety of reasons when they pose an inconvenience or danger to humans. Some of the deaths, as disturbing as they may be, have a kind of logic, like killing animals (even native ones) to protect endangered or threatened species, or eradicating birds at airports that might strike airplanes (though there are growing efforts to rehome, rather than kill, these birds). But four species alone — coyotes, European starlings, feral hogs, and pigeons — accounted for over 75 percent of the carnage, and they have something important in common. They all come into conflict with animal agriculture, and one of the primary purposes of Wildlife Services is to kill animals on behalf of the meat and dairy industries. 'We were the hired gun of the livestock industry,' Carter Niemeyer, who worked in Wildlife Services and related programs from 1975 to 2006, told me last year. Niemeyer specialized in killing and trapping predators like coyotes and wolves who were suspected of preying on cattle and sheep out on pasture. Beef ranching takes up so much land — more than one-third of the continental US — that it's not uncommon for wild animals to make their way onto the fields where cattle graze, which is one reason why livestock producers are such a big client for Wildlife Services. Over 100 million acres are also dedicated to growing feed crops for cows, pigs, and chickens, such as corn and soy, a treasure for wild animals looking for food. Many are killed as a result. This grim state of affairs reflects a little-understood consequence of animal agriculture: Over many decades, massive swathes of wildlife habitat in the US (and around the world) have been cleared for or degraded by meat production. And when wildlife pose any threat to that production, they might be shot or poisoned by the US government. Starlings, who like to dine on livestock feed, are often poisoned with Starlicide, a toxic chemical developed jointly by pet food giant Purina Mills and the USDA that slowly and painfully kills the birds over the course of hours by damaging their heart and kidneys. Wildlife Services killed over 1.2 million of them last year. Many wild birds are also killed to prevent them from eating fish from fish farms or spreading disease at the operations. The killing of coyotes, wolves, and other major predators has long been the most controversial part of the Wildlife Services' program, as the animals, known as 'keystone species,' play a critical role in their ecosystems. Conservation groups, wildlife researchers, and some former agency employees say the threat these animals pose to grazing livestock is overblown. Ranchers have an incentive to claim that their animals were killed by wolves because the USDA financially compensates them for those losses. And within Wildlife Services, some former employees have complained, there's a culture of deferring to ranchers. The USDA did not respond to a request for comment for this story. Niemeyer has described the instinct to blame livestock deaths on coyotes and wolves as 'hysteria.' The roots of such hysteria trace back to America's early European settlers, who believed (wrongly) that the eradication of wolves was necessary for livestock production, according to University of Wisconsin-Madison environmental science professor Adrian Treves. The story isn't all bad. Despite its still-high kill count, it's worth noting that Wildlife Services nonviolently scares away far more animals than it kills, and it has managed to reduce its annual killings over the last 15 years (though the total kill count remains as high as it was in the early 2000s). The agency in recent years has been investing more in nonlethal methods to keep wildlife away from livestock and their feed, like guard dogs, electric fencing, audio/visual deterrents, bird repellent research, and fladry — tying flags along fences, which can scare off some predators. But advocates and experts say these efforts are far from enough: 'I am cynical' about the possibility of change, Treves told me last year. The bottom line: While urban and suburban sprawl are often invoked as some of the gravest threats to wild animals and their habitats, it's really agricultural sprawl — built to accommodate our high levels of meat and dairy consumption — and the government force deployed to protect it that most threaten America's wildlife.
Vox
02-05-2025
- General
- Vox
The US government killed nearly 2 million wild animals last year. Why?
is a senior reporter for Vox's Future Perfect section, with a focus on animal welfare and the future of meat. An obscure arm of the federal government killed almost 2 million wild animals last year using a variety of methods, including firearms, poisons, and traps that ensnare an animal's neck, feet, or entire body. Carried out by the US Department of Agriculture's euphemistically named Wildlife Services department, the 2024 body count included over 2,000 green iguanas, almost 1,700 red-tailed hawks, and 614 armadillos, according to recently published data. The sub-agency even unintentionally killed one golden eagle, a species protected by federal law. Wildlife Services kills animals for a wide variety of reasons when they pose an inconvenience or danger to humans. Some of the deaths, as disturbing as they may be, have a kind of logic, like killing animals (even native ones) to protect endangered or threatened species, or eradicating birds at airports that might strike airplanes (though there are growing efforts to rehome, rather than kill, these birds). But four species alone — coyotes, European starlings, feral hogs, and pigeons — accounted for over 75 percent of the carnage, and they have something important in common. They all come into conflict with animal agriculture, and one of the primary purposes of Wildlife Services is to kill animals on behalf of the meat and dairy industries. 'We were the hired gun of the livestock industry,' Carter Niemeyer, who worked in Wildlife Services and related programs from 1975 to 2006, told me last year. Niemeyer specialized in killing and trapping predators like coyotes and wolves who were suspected of preying on cattle and sheep out on pasture. Beef ranching takes up so much land — more than one-third of the continental US — that it's not uncommon for wild animals to make their way onto the fields where cattle graze, which is one reason why livestock producers are such a big client for Wildlife Services. Over 100 million acres are also dedicated to growing feed crops for cows, pigs, and chickens, such as corn and soy, a treasure for wild animals looking for food. Many are killed as a result. This grim state of affairs reflects a little-understood consequence of animal agriculture: Over many decades, massive swathes of wildlife habitat in the US (and around the world) have been cleared for or degraded by meat production. And when wildlife pose any threat to that production, they might be shot or poisoned by the US government. Starlings, who like to dine on livestock feed, are often poisoned with Starlicide, a toxic chemical developed jointly by pet food giant Purina Mills and the USDA that slowly and painfully kills the birds over the course of hours by damaging their heart and kidneys. Wildlife Services killed over 1.2 million of them last year. Many wild birds are also killed to prevent them from eating fish from fish farms or spreading disease at the operations. A cormorant caught in a trap set by Wildlife Services. USDA The killing of coyotes, wolves, and other major predators has long been the most controversial part of the Wildlife Services' program, as the animals, known as 'keystone species,' play a critical role in their ecosystems. Conservation groups, wildlife researchers, and some former agency employees say the threat these animals pose to grazing livestock is overblown. Ranchers have an incentive to claim that their animals were killed by wolves because the USDA financially compensates them for those losses. And within Wildlife Services, some former employees have complained, there's a culture of deferring to ranchers. The USDA did not respond to a request for comment for this story. Niemeyer has described the instinct to blame livestock deaths on coyotes and wolves as 'hysteria.' The roots of such hysteria trace back to America's early European settlers, who believed (wrongly) that the eradication of wolves was necessary for livestock production, according to University of Wisconsin-Madison environmental science professor Adrian Treves. The story isn't all bad. Despite its still-high kill count, it's worth noting that Wildlife Services nonviolently scares away far more animals than it kills, and it has managed to reduce its annual killings over the last 15 years (though the total kill count remains as high as it was in the early 2000s). The agency in recent years has been investing more in nonlethal methods to keep wildlife away from livestock and their feed, like guard dogs, electric fencing, audio/visual deterrents, bird repellent research, and fladry — tying flags along fences, which can scare off some predators. But advocates and experts say these efforts are far from enough: 'I am cynical' about the possibility of change, Treves told me last year. The bottom line: While urban and suburban sprawl are often invoked as some of the gravest threats to wild animals and their habitats, it's really agricultural sprawl — built to accommodate our high levels of meat and dairy consumption — and the government force deployed to protect it that most threaten America's wildlife.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rabies prevention efforts underway in Jefferson County
WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – The Jefferson County Public Health Service (JCPHS) announced that the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services program (USDA-WS) will distribute oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits in Jefferson County to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies. Two rabid raccoons found in Jefferson County This bait distribution occurs annually in August, but an additional drop will happen in northern Jefferson County due to ongoing rabies cases. Areas along the St. Lawrence River, Watertown, and LeRay will receive additional baits. Distribution is set for May 12 to 14, using aerial and ground methods. Each bait is designed to attract animals and vaccinate them against rabies. Weather affects bait distribution, and bad weather might cause an extended distribution. To get animals to eat the bait, each vaccine-containing bait comes in a plastic blister pack coated in a sweet attractant. Coyotes, foxes, skunks, and raccoons who consume the bait get vaccinated against rabies, which helps prevent the disease's spread. If you find an ORV bait, follow these simple steps: Leave bait alone, unless it is in a lawn or driveway; children should not touch it. If intact baits are found where children or pets play, pick them up with paper towels/gloves and toss them into a brushy or forested area. If the bait is broken, the liquid should be visible. Use gloves to put the bait in a plastic bag. Cover the bait with a 1:10 bleach dilution and wipe affected areas with bleach solution. Put the cleaning materials in a bag and throw them in your regular garbage. Wash your skin with soap and water if you touch a bait. Call JCPHS at 315-786-3700 for guidance. Do not try to remove the bait from your pet, as it may bite you. The bait is safe for your pet. If multiple baits are eaten, your pet might have an upset stomach. If your pet eats a bait, keep its saliva away from your eyes, mucous membranes, or skin lesions for 24 hours. Jefferson County reports third rabid raccoon case this year In the event that a pet or wild animal bites you, you should always report the incident to JCPHS or your healthcare professional. Maintain your pets' current rabies vaccinations as well. Spring rabies vaccination clinics are being held by JCPHS at Jefferson County Dog Control on Thursday, May 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. and Thursday, June 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. Additional details are available online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
North Carolina launches oral rabies vaccine in Western Region
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services plan to prevent the spread of rabies with an oral rabies vaccine. Starting the week of Mar. 31, 2025, Wildlife Services will be distributing an annual oral rabies vaccine for raccoons in Western North Carolina. This program usually takes place annually each fall but has been delayed in 2024 due to Hurricane Helene. 'Rabies is a deadly but preventable disease, and this program plays a critical role in protecting both public health and animal populations across North Carolina,' DVM, State Public Health Veterinarian Carl Williams said. 'By vaccinating wildlife like raccoons, we create a barrier that helps stop the spread of the virus — keeping people, pets and communities safer.' Starting on Tuesday, April 2, 2025, baits containing the oral rabies vaccine will be aerially distributed in these counties: Ash, Avery, Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey. There will be additional hand baiting in Buncombe County on April 3-9, weather depending. The baits consist of a sachet, or plastic packet, that contains the oral rabies vaccine. The packets are sprinkled with a fishmeal coating or are encased inside hard fishmeal-polymer blocks about the size of a matchbox to make them more attractive to raccoons. Once the raccoon bites into the bait and is exposed to the vaccine, the animal's immune system is activated to produce antibiotics that provide protection against rabies infection. Please report any sick or dead wild animals to the NC Wildlife Helpline at 1-866-318-2401 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) or anytime via email at HWI@ If you come into contact with the liquid vaccine, call the number listed. The vaccine will not harm domestic dogs or cats but is only approved for use on raccoons and coyotes. Contact your local veterinarian to get your pet vaccinated against rabies. Baiting should be completed by the end of April 2025. For more information, please visit the National Rabies Management Program webpage. To learn more about rabies, visit the NCDHHS Division of Public Health website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
