Wildlife Welfare

Wildlife Disease Vaccination Advanced

Vaccination programmes for wildlife diseases reduce population-level suffering and protect individual animals from preventable illness.

Key Facts

Oral rabies vaccines have eliminated wildlife rabies in large parts of Western Europe
Myxomatosis and RHD vaccines are available for wild rabbit populations in limited contexts
Oral baiting programmes for badger TB vaccination are being trialled in the UK
Disease vaccination can prevent mass mortality events and chronic individual suffering
Logistical challenges include delivery to widespread populations and monitoring uptake

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife disease vaccination represents a growing opportunity to reduce population-level suffering from preventable diseases, with both individual and ecosystem welfare benefits.

What You Can Do

Support wildlife vaccination research and field programme funding
Advocate for evidence-based vaccination as an alternative to lethal disease control
Report sick wild animals to wildlife disease networks