Wildlife rehabilitator addresses rabies misconceptions in New Jersey

Suzanne Fenton, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator with over 35 years of experience at Wildlife Aid in Atlantic County, New Jersey, is addressing common misconceptions regarding rabies in local wildlife.

Fenton notes that rabies is actually rarer than many believe, as the virus requires direct transfer of saliva, typically through a bite, to infect another mammal. She clarifies that seeing animals like raccoons, skunks, or foxes during daylight hours is not an automatic indicator of rabies. Other potential causes for unusual animal behavior include distemper, which is prevalent in the area, or mange in red foxes and coyotes.

Fenton also highlighted the challenges facing local wildlife, citing habitat loss and extreme weather as primary factors making it difficult for animals to find food and shelter without encroaching on human property.