NLIS 2
October 6, 2004
(Natural Resources)
 

Public discouraged from feeding wild animals

The Department of Natural Resources is cautioning the public not to feed wolves, foxes and other wild animals in Labrador.

According to Dr. Hugh Whitney, provincial veterinarian, many people have been feeding animals along the Labrador Highway. There are now high populations of wolves and foxes in the area, and when they get hungry, the animals start taking more chances by coming into communities and approaching people that may stop to feed them. Once fed, such animals can lose their fear of people and become a hazard if people mistake their behaviour as friendly, when they may have rabies.

"Conservation officers have already had to trap or shoot numerous animals in this situation," according to Dr. Whitney. "With the reports we have been receiving from our officials in Labrador and the number of rabies cases reported already this year, the public has to help us to both reduce the risk of people contacting rabid animals and stop the unnecessary destruction of wild animals that lose their natural fear of people simply because we have fed them."

So far this year, there have been seven cases of rabies in Labrador: three in foxes, two in wolves, one in a dog and one in a bat. These have ranged from northern to western Labrador. Residents should continue to report sightings of suspicious animals to local officials, including conservation officers and the police.

For more information contact: Dr. Hugh Whitney, provincial veterinarian, (709) 729-6879

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications (709) 729-5282, (709) 685-4624

2004 10 06                         1:00 p.m.