Steelman H G, Henke S E, Moore G M
Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville 78363, USA.
J Wildl Dis. 1998 Oct;34(4):764-70. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-34.4.764.
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.
狂犬病是一种广泛传播的人畜共患病，最近在得克萨斯州中部的灰狐（Urocyon cinereoargenteus）中达到了流行程度。本研究的目的是确定圈养灰狐对诱饵和引诱剂的偏好，确定灰狐对选定诱饵 - 引诱剂组合的行为反应，并评估诱饵作为口服狂犬病疫苗的递送机制。进行了试验以确定圈养灰狐对选定诱饵和引诱剂的诱饵偏好。测试的诱饵包括由狗粮粉或鱼粉制成的聚合物结合立方体、由狗粮粉制成的聚合物结合圆柱体，以及用棉花糖或鸡肉调味增强的蜡 - 猪油蛋糕。引诱剂是添加到诱饵中的添加剂，散发出甜、硫、果、脂、干酪、蜂蜜和鱼腥味。圈养灰狐（n = 31）表现出对带有猪油内馅和砂糖外皮的棉花糖蜡蛋糕和聚合物狗粮诱饵的偏好。然而，灰狐仅对蜡蛋糕诱饵表现出与摄入口服疫苗一致的咀嚼行为。
