Health specialists of the Transnistrian region are concerned about the large number of foxes in the region. According to the most recent data, the number is five times higher than the admissible norm. The density of predators per 100 hectares is 10 animals, IPN reports.
According to “Novyi Region” Agency, the chief sanitary doctor of the Transnistrian region Alexandru Peciul said the situation as regards the fox population went out of control. The animals already enter the settlements and attack domestic animals, including dogs and cats. Thus, there appears the risk of spreading rabies.
The chief doctor considers that the region’s administration does not provide enough attention to the problem. The wild animals must be vaccinated, but the vaccine traps are costly. Alexandru Peciul believes that the authorities must work out a program to decrease the number of foxes. The hunters are not interested in hunting foxes as the bullets are very expensive – 1 dollar per piece. There are no points for purchasing fox skins in the region.
The situation on the right side of the Nistru is better even if the number of foxes is also high here. Earlier, the main cynegetician of the Hunters and Fishermen’s Society of Moldova Igor Melniciuc has told IPN that the fox population on the right bank of the Nistru is 25 animals per 1,000 ha, while in parts even 35 animals.
In order to reduce the number of foxes, hunting on the right bank of the Nistru is allowed throughout the year. The authorized hunters receive free bullets in order to keep the number of dangerous predators under control. But the hunters avoid shooting foxes as their skins became much cheaper.
The optimal number of foxes in Moldova is 2-3 animals per 1,000 ha.
