Wildlife Welfare

Wild Animal Vaccination Programs

Wildlife vaccination programs against diseases including rabies, bovine tuberculosis, and plague protect wild animal welfare while also reducing disease transmission to domestic animals and humans.

Key Facts

Oral rabies vaccination of wild foxes has eliminated fox rabies from Western Europe
Badger BCG vaccination is being deployed in TB control programs alongside cattle measures
Prairie dog plague vaccination protects both the species and black-footed ferret reintroduction
Wildlife vaccination avoids the welfare costs of culling while achieving disease control goals
Delivery methods include oral baits, injectable vaccines, and drones for remote areas

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife vaccination programs exemplify the alignment of welfare, conservation, and public health goals. By protecting wild animals from disease, vaccination programs improve individual welfare, support population recovery, and reduce disease transmission - all without the welfare costs of lethal control.

What You Can Do

Support wildlife vaccination programs as welfare-positive disease management
Learn about wildlife vaccination programs in your region
Advocate for vaccination as the preferred approach to wildlife disease management