“Local authorities in Lviv Oblast have decided to carry out an organized shooting of wild animals, in particular foxes, wolves, jackals and raccoon dogs. The decision, adopted on October 31, caused significant criticism in social networks from animal protection organizations. The Department of Agro-Industrial Development of the Lviv State Regional Government explained that they resorted to shooting in order to prevent outbreaks of rabies and African swine fever (ASF). Exceeding the norm of foxes:”, — write on: ua.news
Local authorities in Lviv Oblast have decided to carry out an organized shooting of wild animals, in particular foxes, wolves, jackals and raccoon dogs. The decision, adopted on October 31, caused significant criticism in social networks from animal protection organizations.
The Department of Agro-Industrial Development of the Lviv State Regional Government explained that they resorted to shooting in order to prevent outbreaks of rabies and African swine fever (ASF).
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Exceeding the norm of foxes: The fox population currently amounts to approx 3 individuals per 1000 hectareswhile the optimal density is only 0.5–1 individual. Such an imbalance, according to officials, requires urgent action to stabilize the epizootic situation, since rabies is not treated and is fatal.
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ASF threat: Wild boar overpopulation increases the risk of ASFV, for which there is no vaccine. Deputy head of State Administration Yuri Buchko stressed that in wartime conditions, the outbreak of ASF is a blow that the region cannot afford.
The decision introduces organized shooting of wild animals at a distance of at least 200 meters from populated areas.
The Rescue Center “Home of Rescued Animals” in Lviv and other activists criticized the initiative, calling shooting “the simplest and cruelest method” that will not lead to the desired results.
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In contrast to vaccination: Volunteers claim that animal density standards are much higher in Europe, but there is no spread of rabies because there vaccination takes place in action. They have been calling for humane methods for years, including vaccination, sterilization and education programs.
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The government’s response to criticism: The Lviv Regional State Administration stated that with a threefold increase in the population vaccination against diseases does not workbecause “the virus moves faster than immunity is formed.” Officials also noted that the sterilization of wild predators technically impossible in the conditions of wartime and limited resources, and it is physically impossible and dangerous to place thousands of wild animals in shelters.
Previously, there were in Cherkasy and Poltava regions discovered pigs infected with the African swine fever virus. There is no vaccine against it.
The death of a bird from the bird flu virus was recorded in the Novoodesh district of the Mykolaiv region. To stop the disease, almost 1,000 chickens have already been destroyed.
