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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1987-04-29, Page 25PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1987. Rabies vaccine for foxes performs well in tests Ontario has moved a giant step closer to its goal of reducing rabies in wildlife. In tests of a new oral vaccine last fall, 53 per cent of 94 foxes which ate the vaccine-laced bait, distributed by aircraft over Huron County, were successfully immunized. ‘ ‘That was the first time in North America that wild foxes have been vaccinated in the field,” Natural Resources Minister Vincent Kerrio said. “We have worked a long time to achieve this.” A test drop in 1984, using bait laced with a chemical marker instead of vaccine was even more successful. Of 86foxes trapped and examined later, 71 per cent were found to have eaten the bait. In last fall’s live vaccine bait drop, each bait consisted of a three-centimetre cube of sponge, coated with a mixture of wax and tallow. Fourteen millilitres - about three teaspoons - of the vaccine were injected into the sponges. The sponges, along with a table­ spoon of pureed liver and a small ball of ground beef to attract animals, were dropped by air in plastic sandwich bags. The baits were made by Dr. Ken Lawson and his team at Connaught Laboratories in Downsview, and were dropped in a pattern over 760 square kilometres of Huron County on September 25, 1986. Trappers in Huron and Grey counties were enlisted to provide MNR staff with carcasses and blood samplesoffoxes, skunks and raccoons. The blood samples were tested for the rabies antibody by Dr. Jim Campbell’s laboratory at the University of Toronto. “This was a real team effort,” Mr. Kerrio said. “Everyone has a stake in reducing rabies, and the co-operation on this project is exceptional. I am especially pleas­ ed to see individuals, industry, governments and universities all involved together. The support from Huron County residents and local officials made the whole operation run smoothly.” In the experiment, 61 per cent of the foxes in the baited area ate at STOP PHONE 523-9381 for information Brunswick Street, Stratford Monday 11a m -5 p m Tues.-Sat 8a m -9p m Sunday-Closed 519-271-5645 Maitland Licenced LLBO 194 Josephine St. WINGHAM 357-3341 occasions. Award winning dining room Open year around THE LITTLE INN Forreservations 519-565-2611 BLYTH Ducks Unlimited plans October fundraiser According to Blake Evans, Chairman of the newly organized Wingham committee of Ducks Unlimited Canada, folks from Wingham and surrounding areas interested in participating in a practical conservation program will be given an opportunity to do so come October 2, As a local representative for the international waterfowl conserva­ tion organization Blake said, “When it comes to conservation, there are a lot of good people out there with good intentions who would really like to make a positive difference in how wildlife is perpetuated on this continent, but just don’ t know how to go about it. ’ ’ Blake went on to say that he volunteered to help Ducks Unlimi­ ted because of the organization’s impressive track record. Since 1938, Evans said that this private, non-profit organization has con­ structed more than 2,100 wetland projects throughout Canada. As a result, D.U. has reserved over least one of the vaccine-laced sponges, and 53 per cent of them were immunized. That meant that 32 per cent of the total population was protected. Many of the baits were picked up Committee announced for county gov't review Municipal Affairs Minister Ber­ nard Grandmaitre has announced the members of the Advisory Committee on County Government and the terms of reference under which the committee will operate. The advisory committee will undertake a comprehensive review of representation and accountabili­ ty in county councils, and of what responsibilities those councils should have in the future to meet new demands for municipal servic­ es. ‘ ‘The county council system has served Ontario well,” Mr. Grand­ maitre said. “But it is now time to look at ways of improving and strengthening it.’’ In February, the minister ap­ pointed his parliamentary assis­ tant, Ray Haggerty, the MPP for Erie as chairman of the committee. The other three members are: AlbertBouwers, mayorofOs- goode Township and a member of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) board of direc­ tors; Doris Brick, reeve of Ennis- more Township and amember of the ANO board of directors; Ron Eddy, reeve of South Dumphries Township, and a former president of AMO and AMO’s county and region section. The minister has directed the committee to look at such ques­ tions as whether wardens should be elected annually, how big a county council should be, and whether town mayors should continue to be excluded from county councils. The committee has also been directed to look at the division of responsibility for services - includ­ ing solid waste disposal - between three million habitat acres and created more than 13,000 miles of crucial nesting shoreline for water­ fowl. Concluding his remarks about the importance of DU’s conserva­ tion effort Evans stated, “Our committee will soon be calling on conservation-minded individuals within the community to help support our DU fund-raising ban­ quet scheduled for October 2 at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Com­ munity Centre. We’re going to have a lot of good food, good prizes and good fun for everyone, and those who attend can rest assured the dollars we raise are going to a very good cause”. Blake said he would be happy to talk to anyone interested in DU’s grassroots conservation program and can be reached at 357-1920. ofBAYFIELD by foxes within a few days. The number offoxes vaccinated will likely be higher as the method is improved. “We have a busy year coming up,’’ said Dr. Andrew Rhodes, the county and the municipalities within. Mr. Grandmaitre has sent the terms of reference to all county councils and all local municipal councils in counties, with a request Entertainment Noted geneoiogist in area May 14 If you’re interested in tracing your roots or interested in the subject of genealogy itself Angus Baxter, noted genealogist will have tips for you at a presentation at the Brussels Public Library on May 14 at 2:30 p.m. Angus Baxter has been re­ searching genealogy for 40 years and is a long term member of several genealogical organizations Blytb inn ' Keystone Alley Cafe Let us cater to your needs Banquets, meetings, special Use our facilities or we will cater in your home or hall of your choice chairman of MNR’s Rabies Advi­ sory Committee. “The baits need improvement, and we need to learn howto mass produce them.” In the experimental phase, the baits are handmade. for their comments. The committee is to begin work in April, and plans to meet with municipal councils and interested groups in the coming months. Recommendations on representa- both here and overseas. He has traced his own family back to the early 14th century and tells many amusing stories of tracing his own roots. Mr. Baxter has published three best-selling books on genea­ logy - “In Search of Your Roots”, 1978, revised and updated 1984; ‘ ‘ In Search of Your British and Irish Roots”, 1982 revised and updated 1986; “In Search of Your European Restaurant Everyday Special Once the method is perfected, MNR researchers anticipate that rabies in wildlife can be reduced by scattering such bait widely in areas where there is a high incidence of the disease. tion and solid waste disposal are to be submitted to the minister by Sept. 30. Recommendations on the other responsibilities of county councils are due by Dec. 31. Roots”, 1985. Sponsored by the Huron County Public Library, with the assistance of the Outreach Ontario program of the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture and the Ontario Arts Council. At 2:30 p.m.. May 14th, Angus Baxter will perform at the Brussels branch, in the library. Admission is $1.00 per person.