“Foxes are a part of Lviv’s ecosystem and, subject to safety measures, they do not pose a threat” – Ecology Department
Lviv residents have repeatedly spotted foxes in city parks. According to environmentalists, the number of foxes has recently increased. However, they do not pose a threat to residents if safety measures are taken, including vaccinating their pets.
In 2024, oral immunisation campaigns against rabies for wild carnivores, including foxes, were conducted twice in the Lviv territorial community. As part of the autumn campaign, 1,400 doses of bait were distributed in accordance with the recommendations.
Scientists and members of the Public Ecological Council note that foxes enter the community to search for additional food and do not pose a threat to the population.
According to the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Lviv City Council, Lviv is not the first city to see an increase in the presence of wild animals. This phenomenon can be observed in all European cities. For example, in Berlin, foxes have adapted to life in the metropolis and can move freely around the city, so their presence has become commonplace for residents. The population of these animals there is over 10,000. And Europe is the main distribution area for this animal.
“We understand that we have to learn to coexist with all the animals that live in our area. To feel safe, Lviv residents should vaccinate their pets against rabies. We are already organising free vaccination campaigns for the annexed settlements of the Lviv community,” says Halyna Mykytchak, Head of the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), dogs are the source of infection in 99% of fatal rabies cases. And the only effective treatment for rabies is prevention. To do this, you need to vaccinate your pets every year.
Therefore, the Department of Housing and Infrastructure of the Lviv City Council, together with the Main Directorate of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in Lviv Oblast, launched a campaign to vaccinate pets against rabies free of charge in the settlements of the Lviv City Territorial Community. The next campaign will be held in Pidbirtsi. Residents are urged to protect themselves and their pets.
Reference.
Rabies is an acute infectious disease of warm-blooded animals and humans, characterised by severe damage to the central nervous system. The natural reservoir of rabies in Ukraine is carnivorous mammals. The main way of infection is through a bite. Humans are most often infected by cats and dogs from the domestic fauna, and foxes, wolves, squirrels and other rodents, bats in the wild.
Early signs of the disease in an animal are changes in behaviour (restless sleep, seeking human protection, low-grade fever, agitation, hypersensitivity – reaction to sound, light, wind, voice changes, aggression). Swallowing disorders (salivation, foam around the mouth, etc.) are also noted.