Habitat model for baiting foxes in suburban areas to counteract Echinococcus multilocularis
Andreas König A B , Christof Janko A , Bence Barla-Szabo A , Diana Fahrenhold A , Claudius Heibl A , Eva Perret A and Stefanie Wermuth A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Wildlife Biology and Management Unit, Chair of Animal Ecology, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von Carlowitz-Platz 2, D-85354 Freising, Germany.
B Corresponding author. Email: koenig@wzw.tum.de
Wildlife Research 39(6) 488-495 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR11077
Submitted: 22 April 2012 Accepted: 17 May 2012 Published: 29 June 2012
Abstract
Context: Foxes are carriers of many zoonoses, such as the fox tapeworm. Treating foxes with medication of edible bait is often the only way of protecting people. Whereas bait can be distributed very effectively by aeroplane in rural areas, in settled areas it must be distributed by hand. In doing so it is important to get as close as possible to the foxes.
Aims: In suburban areas it is important to ensure that it is mainly foxes that take the bait and that they do so within a short time. In order to achieve this, a habitat model was developed for the baiting of foxes in suburban areas.
Methods: In Grünwald, a suburb of Munich, 12 foxes were radio-collared and observed to see which gardens they visited more frequently or for longer periods. At the same time, the community area was divided up by a grid. At each point on the grid, two gardens were selected: one garden known to be visited by foxes, and a control garden in which no fox had been observed. In this way the structure of average gardens in the community could be compared with those used by foxes. On this basis a model of garden use by foxes was developed and checked by a program of phototrapping in a separate area.
Key results: Using sources of food, bushes and garden houses as variables, a habitat model was developed with the categories ‘unsuitable’, ‘less suitable’ and ‘very suitable’ for foxes. This correlated closely with the appearance of foxes in gardens (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: The model helps to identify gardens preferred by foxes.
Implications: This study shows us how to reach foxes in suburban environments quickly with bait containing medication and so contributes to improving public health. The method described, of checking a model in an area not used in the development of the model, can also be seen as a contribution towards the universalisation of models.
Additional keywords: fox tapeworm, human–wildlife conflict management, Vulpes vulpes, zoonosis.
References
Adams, C. E., and Lindsey, K. J. (2010). ‘Urban Wildlife Management.’ (CRC Press, Taylor & Francis: Boca Raton, FL.)Adkins, C. A., and Stott, P. (1998). Home ranges, movements and habitat associations of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Toronto, Ontario. Canadian Journal of Zoology 244, 335–346.
Baker, P. J., and Harris, S. (2007). Urban mammals: what does the future hold? An analysis of factors affecting patterns of use of residental gardens in Great Britain. Mammal Review 37, 297–315.
Barratt, D. G. (1997). Home range size, habitat utilization and movement patterns of suburban and farm cats Felix catus. Ecography 20, 271–280.
| Home range size, habitat utilization and movement patterns of suburban and farm cats Felix catus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Börner, K., Schneider, R., and Wittstatt, U. (2009). Untersuchungen zur Populationsökologie des Rotfuchses (Vulpes vulpes L.) in Berlin. Beiträge zur Jagd- und Wildforschung 34, 307–313.
Cavallini, P., and Lovari, S. (1991). Environmental factors influencing the use of habitat in the red fox, Vulpes vulpes. Journal of Zoology 223, 323–339.
| Environmental factors influencing the use of habitat in the red fox, Vulpes vulpes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cavallini, P., and Volpi, T. (1996). Variation in the diet of the red fox in a mediterranean area. Revue d’Écologie 51, 173–188.
Cignini, B., and Riga, F. (1997). Red fox sightings in Rome. Hystrix 9, 71–74.
Conover, M. (2001). ‘Resolving Human–Wildlife Conflicts.’ (Lewis Publishers: Boca Raton, FL.)
Deplazes, P., Hegglin, D., Gloor, S., and Romig, T. (2004). Wilderness in the city: the urbanization of Echinococcus multilocularis. Trends in Parasitology 20, 77–84.
| Wilderness in the city: the urbanization of Echinococcus multilocularis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Doncaster, C. P., Dickman, C. R., and Macdonald, D. W. (1990). Feeding ecology of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the City of Oxford, England. Journal of Mammalogy 71, 188–194.
| Feeding ecology of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the City of Oxford, England.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Duscher, G., Steineck, T., Günter, P., Prosl, H., and Joachim, A. (2005). Echinococcus multilocularis bei Füchsen in Wien und Umgebung. Wiener Tierarztliche Monatsschrift 92, 16–20.
Eckert, J., Gottstein, B., Heath, D., and Liu, F.-J. (2001). Prevention of echinococcosis in humans and safety precautions. In ‘WHO/OIE Manual on Echinococcosis in Humans and Animals: a Public Health Problem of Global Concern’. (Eds J. Eckert, M. A. Gemmell, F.-X. Meslin, and Z. S. Pawlowski.) pp. 238–246. (World Organisation for Animal Health: Paris.)
Gehrt, S. D., Riley, S. P. D., and Cypher, B. L. (eds.) (2010). ‘Urban Carnovores. Ecology, Conflict, and Conservation.’ (The Johns Hopkins University Press: Baltimore, MD.)
Gerards, H. H. (2005). Was wissen wir über die Ausbreitung der Infektion mit dem Kleinen Fuchsbandwurm? In ‘Rundgespräche der Kommission für Ökologie, Band 29: Zur Ökologie von Infektionskrankheiten: Borreliose, FSME und Fuchsbandwurm’. (Ed. Bayer. Akademie d. Wissenschaften) pp. 63–68. (Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil: München.)
Gloor, S., Bontadina, F., Hegglin, D., Deplazes, P., and Breitenmoser, U. (2001). The rise of urban fox populations in Switzerland. Mammalian Biology 66, 155–164.
Gloor, S., Bontadina, F., and Hegglin, D. (2006). ‘Stadtfüchse.’ (Haupt Verlag: Bern.)
Gosselink, T. E., Piccolo, K. A., van Deelen, T. R., Warner, R. E., and Mankin, C. (2010). Natal dispersal and philopatry of red foxes in urban and agricultural areas of Illinois. Journal of Wildlife Management 74, 1204–1217.
Guislain, M.-H., Raoul, F., Giraudoux, P., Terrier, M.-E., Froment, G., Ferte, H., and Poulle, M.-L. (2008). Ecological and biological factors involved in the transmission of Echinococcus multilocularis in the French Ardennes. Journal of Helminthology 82, 143–151.
| Ecological and biological factors involved in the transmission of Echinococcus multilocularis in the French Ardennes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Habermehl, K. H. (1985). ‘Altersbestimmung bei Wild- und Pelztieren.’ (Paul Parey: Hamburg.)
Hadidian, J., Hodge, G. R., and Grandy, J. W. (1997). ‘Wild Neighbours: the Human Approach to Living with Wildlife.’ (Fulcum Publishing: Golden, CO.)
Harris, S. (1979). Age-related fertility and productivity in red foxes, Vulpes vulpes, in suburban London. Journal of Zoology 187, 195–199.
| Age-related fertility and productivity in red foxes, Vulpes vulpes, in suburban London.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harris, S. (1980). Home range and patterns of distribution of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in an urban area, as revealed by radio tracking. In ‘A Handbook on Biotelemetry and Radiotracking.’ (Eds C. J. Amlaner, and D. W.Macdonald.) pp. 685–690. (Pergamon Press: Oxford & New York.)
Harris, S. (1981a). The food of suburban foxes (Vulpes vulpes), with special reference to London. Mammal Review 11, 151–168.
| The food of suburban foxes (Vulpes vulpes), with special reference to London.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harris, S. (1981b). An estimation of the number of foxes in the city of Bristol, and some possible factors affecting their distribution. Journal of Applied Ecology 18, 455–465.
| An estimation of the number of foxes in the city of Bristol, and some possible factors affecting their distribution.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harris, S., and Baker, P. (2001). ‘Urban Foxes.’ (Whittet Books: Suffolk.)
Harris, S., and Rayner, J. M. V. (1986a). Urban fox (Vulpes vulpes) populations estimates and habitat requirements in several British cities. Journal of Animal Ecology 55, 575–591.
| Urban fox (Vulpes vulpes) populations estimates and habitat requirements in several British cities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harris, S., and Rayner, J. M. V. (1986b). Models for predicting urban fox (Vulpes vulpes) numbers in British cities and their application for rabies control. Journal of Animal Ecology 55, 593–603.
| Models for predicting urban fox (Vulpes vulpes) numbers in British cities and their application for rabies control.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harris, S., and Rayner, J. M. V. (1986c). A discriminant analysis of the current distribution of urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Britain. Journal of Applied Ecology 55, 605–611.
| A discriminant analysis of the current distribution of urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Britain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harris, S., and Smith, G. C. (1987). Demography of two urban fox (Vulpes vulpes) populations. Journal of Applied Ecology 24, 75–86.
| Demography of two urban fox (Vulpes vulpes) populations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harris, S., Cresswell, W. J., Forrde, P. G., Trewhella, W. J., Woolard, T., and Wray, S. (1990). Home range analysis using radio-tracking data – a review of problems and techniques particularly as applied to the study of mammals. Mammal Review 20, 97–123.
| Home range analysis using radio-tracking data – a review of problems and techniques particularly as applied to the study of mammals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hegglin, D., Ward, P. I., and Deplazes, P. (2003). Anthelmintic baiting of foxes against urban contamination with Echinococcus multilocularis. Emerging Infectious Diseases 9, 1266–1272.
Hegglin, D., Bontadina, F., Gloor, S., Romer, J., Müller, U., Breitenmoser, U., and Deplazes, P. (2004). Baiting red foxes in an urban area: a camera trap study. Journal of Wildlife Management 68, 1010–1017.
| Baiting red foxes in an urban area: a camera trap study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ito, A., Romig, T., and Takahashi, K. (2003). Perspective on control options for Echinococcus multilocularis with particular reference to Japan. Parasitology 127, S159–S172.
| Perspective on control options for Echinococcus multilocularis with particular reference to Japan.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Janko, C. (2003). Habitatnutzung des Rotfuchses (Vulpes vulpes) in Dörfern und Kleinstädten. Diplomarbeit an der Universität Hohenheim.
Janko, C., Linke, S., Romig, T., Thoma, D., Schröder, W., and König, A. (2011). Infection pressure of human alveolar Echinococcosis due to village and small town foxes (Vuples vulpes) living in close proximity to residents. European Journal of Wildlife Research 57, 1033–1042.
| Infection pressure of human alveolar Echinococcosis due to village and small town foxes (Vuples vulpes) living in close proximity to residents.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kern, P., Bardonnet, K., Renner, E., Auer, H., Pawlowski, Z., Ammann, R., Vuitton, D. A., and Kern, P. (2003). European echinococcosis registry: human alveolar Echinococcosis, Europe, 1982–2000. Emerging Infectious Diseases 9, 343–349.
Kolb, H. H. (1984). Factors affecting the movements of dog foxes in Edinburgh. Journal of Applied Ecology 21, 161–173.
| Factors affecting the movements of dog foxes in Edinburgh.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
König, A. (2005). Neue Untersuchungsergebnisse zur Ausbreitung des kleinen Fuchsbandwurms (Echinococcus multilocularis) im Großraum München. In ‘Rundgespräche der Kommission für Ökologie, Band 29: Zur Ökologie von Infektionskrankheiten: Borreliose, FSME und Fuchsbandwurm’. (Ed. Bayer. Akademie d. Wissenschaften) pp. 71–85. (Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil: München.)
König, A., and Romig, T. (2010). Fox tapeworm an underestimated threat – model for estimating risk of contact. Wildlife Biology 16, 258–266.
| Fox tapeworm an underestimated threat – model for estimating risk of contact.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
König, A., Romig, T., Thoma, D., and Kellermann, K. (2005). Drastic increase in the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in southern Bavaria, Germany. European Journal of Wildlife Research 51, 277–282.
| Drastic increase in the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in southern Bavaria, Germany.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
König, A., Romig, T., Janko, C., Hildenbrand, R., Holzhofer, E., Kotulski, Y., Ludt, C., Merli, M., Eggenhofer, S., Thoma, D., Vilsmeier, J., and Zannantonio, D. (2008). Integrated-baiting concept against Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes is successful in southern Bavaria, Germany. European Journal of Wildlife Research 54, 439–447.
| Integrated-baiting concept against Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes is successful in southern Bavaria, Germany.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Labhardt, F. (1996). ‘Der Rotfuchs.’ (Verlag Paul Parey: Hamburg.)
Leonhardt, P. (1986). ‘Jagdrecht.’ (Carl Link Verlag: Kronach.)
Macdonald, D. (1987). ‘Running with the Fox.’ (Harper Collins Publishers: Glasgow.)
Marks, C. A., and Bloomfield, T. E. (1999a). Distribution and density estimates for urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Melbourne: implications for rabies control. Wildlife Research 26, 763–775.
| Distribution and density estimates for urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Melbourne: implications for rabies control.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Marks, C. A., and Bloomfield, T. E. (1999b). Bait uptake by foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in urban Melbourne: the potential of oral vaccination for rabies control. Wildlife Research 26, 777–787.
| Bait uptake by foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in urban Melbourne: the potential of oral vaccination for rabies control.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nonaka, N., Kamiya, M., and Oku, Y. (2006). Towards the control of Echinococcus multilocularis in the definitive host in Japan. Parasitology International 55, S263–S266.
| Towards the control of Echinococcus multilocularis in the definitive host in Japan.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pawlowski, Z. S., Eckert, J., Vuitton, D. A., Ammann, R. W., Kern, P., Craig, P. S., Dar, K. F., De Rosa, F., Filice, C., Gottstein, B., Grimm, F., Macpherson, C. N. L., Sato, N., Todorov, T., Uchino, J., von Sinner, W., and Wen, H. (2001). Echinococcosis in humans: clinical aspects, diagnosis and treatment. In ‘WHO/OIE Manual on Echinococcosis in Humans and Animals: a Public Health Problem of Global Concern’. (Eds J. Eckert, M. A. Gemmell, F.-X. Meslin, and Z. S. Pawlowski.) pp. 20–72. (World Organisation for Animal Health: Paris.)
Robardet, E., Giraudoux, P., Caillot, C., Boue, F., Cliquet, F., Augot, D., and Barrat, J. (2008). Infection of foxes by Echinococcus multilocularis in urban and suburban areas of Nancy, France: influence of feeding habits and environment. Parasite (Paris, France) 15, 77–85.
| 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1c3ls1antw%3D%3D&md5=aad7e11d39256f941ceda2472ab3416cCAS |
Robardet, E., Giraudoux, P., Caillot, C., Augot, D., Boue, F., and Barrat, J. (2010). Fox defecation behaviour in relation to spatial distribution of voles in an urbanised area: an increasing risk of transmission of Echinococcus multilocularis? International Journal for Parasitology 41, 145–154.
Romig, T. (2002). Spread of Echinococcus multilocularis in Europe? In ‘Cestode Zoonoses: Echinococcosis and Cysticercosis. An Emergent and Gobal Problem’. (Eds P. Craig, and Z. Pawlowski.) pp. 65–80. (IOS Press: Amsterdam.)
Romig, T., Bilger, B., Dinkel, A., Merli, M., Thoma, D., Will, R., Mackenstedt, U., and Lucius, R. (2007). Impact of praziquantel baiting on intestinal helminths of foxes in southwestern Germany. Helminthologia 44, 137–144.
| Impact of praziquantel baiting on intestinal helminths of foxes in southwestern Germany.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rosatte, R. C., Power, M. J., MacInnes, C. D., and Lawson, K. F. (1990). Rabies control for urban foxes, skunks, and raccoons. Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings Collection.
Rosatte, R. C., Power, M. J., Donocan, D., Davies, J. C., Allan, M., Bachmann, P., Stevenseon, B., Wandeler, A., and Muldoon, F. (2007). Elimination of artic variant rabies in red foxes, metropolitan Toronto. Emerging Infectious Diseases 13, 25–27.
| Elimination of artic variant rabies in red foxes, metropolitan Toronto.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2s7nt1Gqtg%3D%3D&md5=289845f6dfd2cebbc5b76323a8eda1f3CAS |
Saunders, G., White, P. C. L., and Harris, S. (1997). Habitat utilisation by urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and the implications for rabies control. Mammalia 61, 497–510.
Schelling, U., Frank, W., Will, R., Romig, T., and Lucius, R. (1997). Chemotherapy with praziquantel has the potential to reduce the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in wild foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 91, 179–186.
| 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXjtFKmtro%3D&md5=4338bbace99a67849dc5714072bf4524CAS |
Schneider, L. G. (1990). Der Einfluß der oralen Immunisierung der Füchse auf die Epidemiologie der Tollwut. In ‘Fuchssymposium, Koblenz, 2–3 März 1990’. (Eds C. Commichau, and H. Sprankel.) pp. 39–48. (Verlag Neumann-Neudamm: Melsungen.)
Schweiger, A., Ammann, R. W., Candinas, D., Clavien, P.-A., Eckert, J., Gottstein, B., Halkic, N., Muellhaupt, B., Prinz, B. M., Reichen, J., Tarr, P. E., Toergerson, P. R., and Deplazes, P. (2007). Human alveolar echinococcosis after fox population increase, Switzerland. Emerging Infectious Diseases 13, 878–882.
| Human alveolar echinococcosis after fox population increase, Switzerland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smith, G. C., and Harris, S. (1989). The control of rabies in urban fox populations. In ‘Mammals as Pests’. (Ed. R. J. Putman.) pp. 209–224. (Chapman and Hall: London & New York.)
Soulsbury, C. D., Baker, P. J., Iossa, G., and Harris, S. (2010). Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes). In ‘Urban Carnivores. Ecology, Conflict, and Conservation’. (Eds S. D. Gehrt, S. P. D. Riley, and B. L. Cypher.) pp. 63–75. (The Johns Hopkins University Press: Baltimore, MD.)
Stachowiak, H. (1973). ‘Allgemeine Modelltheorie.’ (Springer-Verlag: Wien.)
Stiebling, U. (2000). Untersuchungen zur Habitatnutzung des Rotfuchses, Vulpes vulpes (L. 1758), in der Agrarlandschaft als Grundlage für die Entwicklung von Strategien des Natur- und Artenschutzes sowie der Tierseuchenbekämpfung. Dissertation, Humboldt-Universität, Berlin.
Teagle, W. G. (1967). The fox in the London suburbs. The London Naturalist 46, 44–68.
Tsukada, H., Morishima, Y., Nonaka, N., Oku, Y., and Kamiya, M. (2000). Preliminary study of the role of red foxes in Echinococcus multilocularis in the urban area of Sapporo, Japan. Parasitology 120, 423–428.
| Preliminary study of the role of red foxes in Echinococcus multilocularis in the urban area of Sapporo, Japan.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tsukada, H., Hamazaki, K., Ganzorig, S., Iwaki, T., Konno, K., Lagapa, J. T., Matsuo, K., Ono, A., Shimizu, M., Sakai, H., Morishima, Y., Nonaka, N., Oku, Y., and Kamiya, M. (2002). Potential remedy against Echinococcus multilocularis in wild red foxes using baits with anthelmintic distributed around fox breeding dens in Hokkaido, Japan. Parasitology 125, 119–129.
| Potential remedy against Echinococcus multilocularis in wild red foxes using baits with anthelmintic distributed around fox breeding dens in Hokkaido, Japan.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD38vlt1Sluw%3D%3D&md5=b90a9e301e96fe326eac307b9b41283cCAS |
Voith, V. L., and Borchelt, P. L. (1986). Social behavior of domestic cats. Compendium Small Animal 8, 637–646.
White, J. G., Gubiani, R., Smallman, N., Snell, K., and Morton, A. (2006). Home range, habitat selection and diet of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in semi-urban riparian environment. Wildlife Research 33, 175–180.
| Home range, habitat selection and diet of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in semi-urban riparian environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wiesner, H. (1998). Tierschutzrelevante Neuentwicklungen zur Optimierung der Distanzimmobilisation. Tierarztliche Praxis 26, 225–233.
| 1:STN:280:DyaK1czns1Ortw%3D%3D&md5=09c49336ddfd729176435205ed83fb31CAS |
Yimam, A. E., Nonaka, N., Oku, Y., and Kamiya, M. (2002). Prevalence and intensity of Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes schrencki) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides albus) in Otaru city, Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese Journal of Veterinary Research 49, 287–296.
