Trap-Vaccinate-Release Program

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June 6, 2007

TRAP-VACCINATE-RELEASE (TVR) PROGRAM

What is the TVR program?

The TVR program is a preventive measure to protect raccoons, in certain areas of the province, against the spread of the raccoon strain of rabies.

Where is TVR conducted?

See map for boundaries.

Why is it necessary?

Ontario had its first case of raccoon rabies north of Brockville in July 1999. The raccoon rabies virus strain had been threatening to cross at the Ontario-New York State border for several years from the United States. The objective of the TVR program is to minimize the spread of the disease in native wildlife populations at high-risk locations, such as border crossings along the St. Lawrence River and in Niagara Falls.

How does the program work?

With the assistance of local trappers hired for their expertise, Ministry of Natural Resources staff set out live-trap cages to catch raccoons without harming them. The raccoons are then vaccinated against rabies, marked with ear-tags that will identify them as vaccinated, and then released unharmed at the site where they were captured.

Trapping, vaccinating and then releasing animals is an effective, though labour-intensive, way of protecting raccoons against rabies. From 1994 to 2005, the program vaccinated from 52 to 78 per cent of the raccoon population in the buffer zones in the Niagara Region and along the St. Lawrence River. Trapping to control raccoon rabies will continue until rabies is eliminated. Vaccinating a large number of raccoons in these areas against rabies will contain or slow the spread of the disease.

Where are traps placed?

The traps are placed by Ministry of Natural Resources staff in any area that raccoons are known to inhabit, including private land with permission of the landowner. The public can expect to see wildlife technicians setting cages and checking them within 24 hours for raccoons.

What happens if other animals, such as pets, are caught in the traps?

Although other animals may inadvertently be caught, the traps cannot harm them. The cages are checked within 24 hours and any other animals are released. The public should not attempt to release any animals from these cages.

Contact:

Adam McAllister
Ministry of Natural Resources
(705) 755-1551

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