Rabies vaccination of African wild dogs in the Serengeti: insights, challenges and risks

While there can no longer be any doubt that diseases pose a severe threat to several endangered wildlife populations, there is still considerable debate about the most appropriate and effective approaches that could or should... [ view full abstract ]

While there can no longer be any doubt that diseases pose a severe threat to several endangered wildlife populations, there is still considerable debate about the most appropriate and effective approaches that could or should be taken to mitigate against these threats. Vaccination has been one of the most effective and cost-effective preventive health measures for improving the health of human and domestic animal populations, and offers a potential solution for reducing disease risks in endangered species. However, since the advent of vaccines more than 200 years ago, the use of human and animal vaccines has also triggered controversy, public scrutiny, and debate, which continue to this day. Vaccination of endangered wildlife poses several scientific, practical, ethical and philosophical considerations, which will be discussed with reference to rabies vaccination of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Serengeti, Tanzania in the early 1990s. The rationale, implementation and outcome of the wild dog rabies vaccination program will be described, together with implications of the subsequent vaccination debate for wildlife research and conservation, highlighting the parallels with contemporary human vaccine controversies. The presentation will identify key lessons learned for the design and implementation of future vaccination programs that might be considered for the conservation management of endangered carnivores.