Steelman H G, Henke S E, Moore G M
Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, 78363, USA.
J Wildl Dis. 2000 Oct;36(4):744-51. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-36.4.744.
Rabies is a widespread zoonotic disease that has reached epizootic proportions in gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) in central Texas. Because each species of carnivore has different food preferences and foraging strategies, it is essential that the efficacy of a bait delivery program be examined for gray foxes prior to an oral vaccination program being attempted. Field trials were conducted to determine bait preferences of free-ranging gray foxes to selected baits and odor attractants. Baits consisted of polymer cubes made of either dog food meal or fish meal, and a wax-lard cake that was enhanced with marshmallow flavoring. Attractants added to baits exuded sulfurous, fatty, cheesy, or sweet odors and flavors. During 3,589 operable bait station nights, gray fox visitation and bait uptake rates were 9.2% and 8.3%, respectively. Gray foxes exhibited no preference in bait uptake rates between bait and odor attractant combinations. Gray foxes exhibited no difference in cumulative bait uptake rates between onroad and offroad sites; however, the uptake rate by raccoons was significantly greater for baits placed on roads than for baits randomly placed. Raccoons were the major non-target species competing for baits, being attributed with 73% of the total uptake. Visitation and bait uptake rates by raccoons significantly increased after a 7-day lethal removal of raccoons (n = 37) from the study area. Random distribution of baits is recommended; it reduced bait uptake by non-target species without adversely affecting uptake by gray foxes.
狂犬病是一种广泛传播的人畜共患病，在德克萨斯州中部的灰狐（Urocyon cinereoargenteus）中已达到 epizootic 比例。由于每种食肉动物的食物偏好和觅食策略不同，在尝试进行口服疫苗接种计划之前，检查针对灰狐的诱饵投放计划的有效性至关重要。进行了野外试验，以确定自由放养的灰狐对选定诱饵和气味引诱剂的偏好。诱饵包括由狗粮粉或鱼粉制成的聚合物方块，以及添加了棉花糖调味料的蜡猪油蛋糕。添加到诱饵中的引诱剂散发出硫磺、脂肪、奶酪或甜味的气味和味道。在 3589 个可操作的诱饵站夜晚期间，灰狐的访问率和诱饵摄取率分别为 9.2% 和 8.3%。灰狐在诱饵和气味引诱剂组合之间的诱饵摄取率上没有表现出偏好。灰狐在道路沿线和非道路区域的累积诱饵摄取率没有差异；然而，放置在道路上的诱饵被浣熊的摄取率明显高于随机放置的诱饵。浣熊是争夺诱饵的主要非目标物种，占总摄取量的 73%。在从研究区域对 37 只浣熊进行为期 7 天的致死性清除后，浣熊的访问率和诱饵摄取率显著增加。建议随机分布诱饵；这减少了非目标物种对诱饵的摄取，而不会对灰狐的摄取产生不利影响。
