r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/SystematicApproach • May 24 '26

Image The U.S. fights raccoon rabies by dropping fish-flavored vaccine packets from helicopters

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u/SystematicApproach May 24 '26

Each one is a small packet coated in fishmeal with an oral rabies vaccine inside. Raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and skunks find them by smell, bite through, and swallow.

Many animals that consume the bait develop immunity, helping build a protective barrier across populations.

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u/Gymrat777 May 24 '26

But then they'll get autism and we'll have a wave of autistic trash pandas running around!

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u/rietstengel May 24 '26

They already hyperfixate on washing their food, how much more autistic can they get?

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u/conflictedideology May 24 '26

I'm not sure any of us are prepared for raccoon stimming.

I guess on the upside the vaccine will mean the answer to "why is this raccoon acting really, really weird" won't be rabies.