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1 October 1998 GRAY FOX RESPONSE TO BAITS AND ATTRACTANTS FOR ORAL RABIES VACCINATION
H. Grant Steelman, Scott E. Henke, Guy M. Moore
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Abstract

Rabies is a widespread zoonosis that recently reached epidemic proportions in gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) in central Texas. The objectives of this study were to determine bait and attractant preferences among captive gray foxes, to determine the behavioral responses of gray foxes to selected bait-attractant combinations, and to evaluate baits as a delivery mechanism of oral rabies vaccines. Trials were conducted to determine bait preferences of captive gray foxes to selected baits and attractants. Tested baits consisted of a polymer-bound cube made of either dog food meal or fish meal, a polymer-bound cylinder made of dog food meal, and a wax-lard cake that was enhanced with marshmallow or chicken flavoring. Attractants were additives to baits that exuded sweet, sulfurous, fruity, fatty, cheesy, honey, and fishy odors and flavors. Captive gray foxes (n = 31) exhibited a preference for marshmallow wax cakes and polymer dog food baits with a lard interior and granulated sugar exterior. However, gray foxes exhibited chewing behaviors consistent with ingesting an oral vaccine only with the wax cake baits.

Steelman, Henke, and Moore: GRAY FOX RESPONSE TO BAITS AND ATTRACTANTS FOR ORAL RABIES VACCINATION
H. Grant Steelman, Scott E. Henke, and Guy M. Moore "GRAY FOX RESPONSE TO BAITS AND ATTRACTANTS FOR ORAL RABIES VACCINATION," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 34(4), 764-770, (1 October 1998). https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-34.4.764
Received: 17 December 1997; Published: 1 October 1998
KEYWORDS
attractants
bait
gray fox
oral vaccination program
preference
rabies
Urocyon cineroargenteus
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