Rabies as a threat to wildlife

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Science
• Wildlife Conservation
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Infectious diseases, like rabies, can accelerate species decline as populations approach extinction.
• Rabies virus (RABV) is a fatal zoonotic disease transmitted through saliva, posing a severe risk to numerous wild mammal species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify wild mammal species affected by rabies.
• To assess the impact of rabies on species at risk of extinction.
• To explore rabies transmission dynamics between domestic and wild canids and propose conservation strategies.

Main Methods:

• Extensive literature review to compile records of rabies virus infection in wild mammals.
• Analysis of rabies impact on species with elevated extinction risk.
• Discussion of case studies and challenges in wildlife rabies vaccination.

Main Results:

• Rabies virus infection reported in 190 wild mammal species.
• Sixteen species with elevated extinction risk identified as infected.
• Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) and African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) identified as critically threatened by rabies.

Conclusions:

• Rabies is a direct conservation threat to specific wild canid populations.
• Transmission from domestic dogs to wildlife is a significant concern.
• Effective rabies control in domestic dog populations is essential for wildlife rabies management and conservation.