A case of arctic fox rage confirmed in the Matagami sector

The Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP) confirms that a case of rabies in an Arctic Fox has been detected in the Matagami sector.

The carcass of the infected animal was discovered by a citizen on March 15. He recovered it, then reported the information to the ministry last June, which then took possession of it.

It is an arctic fox which was outside its usual distribution area. It is always interesting for us to document the causes of mortality in these animals, that is why we sent it for analysis at the end of June. And it was recently that we had the resultexplains Ariane Massé, biologist at MELCCFP.

The Arctic Fox is a circumpolar species, which is generally found at the James bay to Nunavik, but also on the North Shore, according to Ms. Massé. He overflows with his range when he is very abundant, as at the moment.

They make multiple trips, whether to find a territory, seek food, things like that. Last winter, several high density of Arctic Renard was made in northern Quebec. So it’s not surprising to make this discovery near Matagamipoints out the biologist of MELCCFP.

The presence of an arctic fox in Matagami had raised a lot of wonder in 2022.

Report observations

This discovery nevertheless challenges the MELCCFP on two levels. In a publication on his Facebook page, he invites the population to be vigilant.

We are especially interested in documenting the observations precisely of arctic foxes. This is why we invite people to point out their observations if they observe arctic foxes in this sector, between Matagami, Lebel-sur-Quévillon, La Sarre, then Amos. We ask people to send us the information by email. It allows us to stick this information and document the presence of arctic foxes at this heightspecifies Ariane Massé.

The Ministry of Wildlife wants to know the number of foxes observed, their state of health, the date and the place with as much precision as possible. Any photo or video image is also welcome. The whole can be transmitted to the customer service of the MELCCFP.

If it is white in winter, the coat of the Arctic Fox is rather gray, sometimes with white spots, during the summer.

Watch out for rabies

Then, the ministry took the opportunity to remind the population to avoid contact with the foxes or any other wild animal. Rage is a contagious and fatal disease that can be transmitted to humans.

People are always recommended to never feed, approach or flatter wild animals. It is always fascinating to observe them, but precisely, we strive to look at them from afar. Then if ever a person gets bitten by a wild animal, gets grabbed or is in contact with saliva, it’s really important to wash the wound for 10 to 15 minutes with water and soap, then then communicate with Info-Santé 811recalls Ariane Massé.

Seven cases of rage of the Arctic Fox Variant have been reported since the start of the year in Quebec, according to the website of the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks.

The ministry also invites citizens to bring him the observations of very sick, lethargic or aggressive red foxes. These could be suffering from the rage of the arctic fox variant.