Please do not use culling…

Please do not use culling for “management of rabid animals” as mentioned in this ERO.

Ontario eliminated culling years ago. Here is a response from the MNRF.

“The health and safety of Ontarian’s is a top priority for MNRF. Ontario is recognized as a world leader in rabies control. We are working hard to keep people, pets and wildlife safe from rabies. Ontario takes rabies control and prevention very seriously. Unlike other viruses, once contracted, rabies is always fatal to humans, wildlife, livestock and pets.

MNRF’s rabies program has been effective at containing the current outbreak to within 65km of the first case and reducing the number of confirmed positive cases by approximately 50% each year, since the peak in 2016.

All MNRF rabies tests are conducted on animals that were found dead, road killed, or euthanized because they were sick. Healthy animals are not tested for rabies by MNRF. MNRF no longer utilizes wildlife euthanasia as a method to control rabies.

With the development and application of the ONRAB® oral rabies vaccine in 2006, Ontario now has the ability to use non-lethal, high density baiting to vaccinate wildlife populations. Our ministry continues to improve and review the rabies program through ongoing research into the effectiveness of Ontario’s rabies testing and control measures.Our ministry will continue to work with partners to consider additional potential non-lethal rabies testing and control developments, should they become available. MNRF’s Rabies Advisory Committee, composed of non-government and government experts, provides advice on research and management actions related to wildlife rabies in Ontario. Our ministry also works closely with municipalities, provincial and federal government agencies, veterinarians and non-governmental organizations to protect the public, pets and livestock from rabies.

Sincerely,

Original signed by

Trisha Westman
A/Director
Science and Research Branch