Electronic Press Kit - Rabies Baiting Program

Rabies Vaccine Bait Drop Protects Ontarians
(August 7, 2013)

Rabies Bait Drop (B-roll)

Watch an MNR aerial helicopter bait drop, used to help prevent the spread of rabies in wildlife.   Date: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 File size: 991 MB (Download) Format: MP4 (H.264/AVC, MPEG-2/4 Audio, 48000 Hz, 2 channels) Resolution: 1920x1080, 24fps Running time: 4 min, 12 sec

Clips of Rick Rosatte, Wildlife Research Scientist

An MNR scientist gives an overview of the rabies vaccination bait drop program.   Date: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 File size: 519 MB (Download) Format: MP4 (H.264/AVC, MPEG-2/4 Audio, 48000 Hz, 2 channels) Resolution: 1920x1080, 24fps Running time: 2 min 23 sec

Clips of Bjorn Christensen, Director, Environmental Health, Niagara Region Public Health

A public health official talks about the importance of vaccination against rabies — both for wildlife and for pets.   Date: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 File size: 669 MB (Download) Format: MP4 (H.264/AVC, MPEG-2/4 Audio, 48000 Hz, 2 channels) Resolution: 1920x1080, 24fps Running time: 2 min 23 sec

MNR Twin Otter Used for Bait Drop

Aerial baiting is part of Ontario's rabies control program, which has reduced rabies cases in the province by over 99 per cent in the past two decades.   File size: 3.5MB (Download) Format: JPG Resolution: 3072x2304

MNR Helicopter Used for Bait Drop

During 2012, over 385,000 rabies vaccine baits will be distributed by airplane, helicopter and hand distribution in targeted areas of Ontario.   File size: 2.8 MB (Download) Format: JPG Resolution: 3008x2000

Bait Dropping Machine

Aerial baiting is done using a bait machine which is monitored by Ministry of Natural Resources staff.   File size: 3.6 MB (Download) Format: JPG Resolution: 3072x2304

Vaccine Baits

Ontario developed the rabies vaccine used in the baits, which will immunize most skunks, foxes and raccoons that eat them. The vaccine is also being used in other jurisdictions with great success.   File size: 3.1 MB (Download) Format: JPG Resolution: 2136x2848

Bait Label

The flavoured baits immunize most skunks, foxes and raccoons that eat them. Baits are small and khaki green, with a toll-free rabies hotline number stamped on them. If you see baits, please leave them undisturbed.   File size: 3.7 MB (Download) Format: JPG Resolution: 2848x2136

Bait Size

Exposure to a bait is not harmful to people or pets; however, if you see baits, please leave them undisturbed.   File size: 3.3 MB (Download) Format: JPG Resolution: 3008x2000

Ministry of Natural Resources Media Desk, 416-314-2106, mediadesk.mnr@ontario.ca

Bjorn Christensen, Director, Environmental Health, Niagara Region Public Health, 905-688-8248, ext. 7226, bjorn.christensen@niagararegion.ca

"Ontario has reduced the number of rabies cases in the province by more than 99 per cent since the rabies control programs began over 20 years ago." — Bullet News, August 16, 2012

"The bait drop program is one of the most successful wildlife rabies eradication programs in North America." — St. Lawrence EMC, August 16, 2012

"The MNR notes that Ontario raccoons have been free of rabies since September 2005, and 2010 marked the lowest number of rabies-positive animals with the 'Ontario fox' strain in the province since the disease became established in Ontario in 1958." — The Collingwood Enterprise-Bulletin, September 9, 2011

"Dave Young, manager of environmental health for the Region, said last year that Ontario used to average about 1,500 cases of animal rabies a year from the time rabies became established in the province 50 years ago until 1989. Campaigns involving trapping, vaccinating and released animals, along with aerial baiting and mandatory vaccinations of family pets, have greatly reduced the number of cases, he said." — Niagara This Week, August 23, 2010

"Ontario racoons have been free of rabies for the past five years and this weekend's drop seeks to sustain that." — Peterborough Examiner, August 12, 2010

"The province has been scattering the baits for more than 20 years. Ontario has not had a case of raccoon rabies since 2005, and overall, the incidence of rabies in the province has plunged 98 per cent since the baits began being distributed." — Kingston Whig-Standard, August 13, 2009

• About rabies
• Human health and rabies
• Pets and rabies
• Livestock and rabies
• Wildlife and rabies

Ministry of Natural Resources Overview

The Ministry of Natural Resources works to promote healthy, sustainable ecosystems and conserve biodiversity. Scientific research is conducted and the findings are applied to develop effective resource management policies. The ministry also manages Ontario's Crown land, promotes economic opportunities in the resource sector and enhances opportunities for outdoor recreation. The ministry is also responsible for protecting Ontario's families and communities from forest fire, flood and drought related emergencies.