A Trap-Vaccinate-Release Protocol for Immunization of Skunks and Additional Rabies Vectors Against Rabies

Oral vaccination of wildlife against rabies via the distribution of vaccine-laden baits is used widely as a management tool in Europe and North America. Over the past several decades, successful programs have targeted important reservoirs, including coyotes, foxes, raccoon dogs, and raccoons, for prevention and control. However, other species (e.g., skunks) or certain habitats (e.g., urban) may be less amenable to oral vaccination, requiring consideration of additional strategies. Trap-vaccinate-release (TVR) is one alternate method that entails the use of live traps to capture targeted wildlife. Traps are distributed along grids in suitable, accessible habitats. Captured animals are identified by tagging, vaccinated parenterally with an inactivated commercial vaccine, sexed, aged, weighed, and released at the site of capture. Since 2001, cross-species transmission of rabies virus from bats to mesocarnivores, such as skunks, has been detected in Flagstaff, Arizona. During the past two decades, TVR has been used as a safe and effective method to prevent and control rabies during such events in this region.