The entry of wild animals into the urban environment

Ambassador Arjan quoted information that at noon on the first day of autumn, Pichshmiran in the center of Tehran, a frightened fox is running away in the atmosphere of Shariati Street. No one is following him, but he runs a few hundred meters in fear and returns again. He is obviously scared, but apparently he can smell the food under the bridge. This is what happens these days, not only in the late hours of the night, but also in broad daylight in most parts of Tehran. Our reporters have seen this beautiful and intelligent animal many times inside the Information Institute on the side of Mirdamad Boulevard in Tehran.

Seeing a species of wildlife in a crowded and noisy city environment like Tehran, even if it looks beautiful and calm like a fox, leads to questions and concerns. The first question in the minds of citizens is what happened to the natural habitat of this type of wildlife that foxes have entered the city? Are the cities so unduly developed that the natural habitat of this animal is invaded and the animal is forced to be in the city? What dangers does the presence of foxes in the urban ecosystem pose for themselves and the citizens? How serious is it that it is said that foxes, unlike dogs and cats, cannot be domesticated and can carry risks such as attacks or disease transmission?

Masoumeh Safaei, deputy of the Wildlife Protection and Management Office of the Environmental Protection Organization, in response to the fact that it is more important

What is the reason for the presence of foxes in Tehran, he says: Ecology is a multidimensional science and a series of factors play a role in this phenomenon. He continues: Foxes have always been present in urban areas, and if they are more visible now, maybe it is because, on the one hand, people are more concerned about wildlife, and on the other hand, the existence of virtual networks has made this issue more prominent.

According to Safaei, foxes are seen not only in Tehran but in most urban areas of the world. One of the most important reasons is the presence of trash cans. This is the reason why we at the environment constantly emphasize that feeding wildlife is completely wrong. In addition to endangering human lives by transmitting common diseases between humans and animals, this work also entails all kinds of risks for animals; Like the possibility of a car accident.

Explaining the possibility of rabies being transmitted by foxes, he says: We in the Environmental Protection Organization, not only about foxes, but also about other animals such as dogs, have been corresponding with the municipality, the Ministry of Interior, and the Veterinary Organization for years. As I mentioned, the lack of waste management is one of the main reasons for the presence of wildlife in cities, which is managed by the Ministry of Interior and municipalities. Safaei emphasizes: Right now, in urban areas like Hamedan, we are dealing with the presence of a wolf in the city, or in another province, a jackal caused injury to a child, and these cases must be resolved by the responsible organizations and institutions.

Mohammad Karmi, the head of the Department of Wildlife Protection and Management of the General Environment Department of Tehran, also mentioned in a radio program, referring to the increase in sightings of foxes in the capital's urban areas, that the expansion of urbanization and the change of use of Tehran's large gardens to residential areas have destroyed the natural habitat of carnivores such as foxes and jackals.

According to him, these animals approach urban areas especially at night to find food, and the lack of proper waste management and irresponsible feeding has increased their presence during the day.

Karmi mentions drought as another reason for the approach of wild animals to cities and emphasizes: feeding these species not only increases reproduction, but also reduces fear and destroys their defense system against natural threats.

According to this official, when food resources exceed the capacity of the ecosystem, all cubs survive and the population increases rapidly. This can harm other species and even humans.

The head of the Department of Wildlife Protection and Management of the General Department of Environment of Tehran, referring to common diseases between humans and wild animals, especially zoonotic diseases, 60% of which are very dangerous, warns: Ambassador Arjanan should refrain from approaching and feeding these animals, and if they see any harmful samples, inform this department about the matter so that they can be revived. Kerami states: Wild animals belong to nature and should not be turned into pets with emotional justifications. Adhering to scientific principles in dealing with wildlife guarantees the health of citizens and the sustainability of the ecosystem.

In a press conference, Payam Mohebi, head of the Iranian Veterinary Society, criticized the removal of dogs from the capital's urban areas and believes that this measure by the municipality has caused foxes to enter Tehran's residential areas from the outskirts of the city. Animals that, according to him, can transmit rabies to other animals.

Mohebi says that the presence of dogs in the countryside has caused foxes to seek refuge in urban areas out of fear of them.

Stating that foxes, unlike dogs, have a greater ability to hide from humans, he warns about the risk of rabies transmission and says: Foxes are considered as reservoirs of this disease. Dogs live for a limited time once the rabies virus has been transmitted, but foxes can carry the disease for years and transmit it to other animals.

On the other hand, Mohammad Khalili, a professor of virology at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, confirms the health and social risks of stray dogs, but disagrees with the argument that foxes remain carriers of rabies for years without showing symptoms.

He believes that the city administration should have a specific plan to collect and control the population of stray animals and not allow the presence of these animals in the public space to endanger the health and comfort of citizens.

Khalili says by distinguishing owned dogs from unowned dogs: pets that have a specific owner receive a health certificate and are under veterinary care, vaccination and treatment. Of course, they should also be kept in compliance with safety principles so as not to harm others.

On the other hand, he considers stray dogs to be a serious problem from the point of view of public health and adds: from continuous barking that disturbs people's sleep and comfort to physical attacks, we are facing various problems regarding dogs. They can transmit pathogens and parasites, and their group attack also increases the risk of injury to citizens, especially children.

According to this university professor, feeding stray dogs without supervision and a control program may lead to an increase in their population; While feeding the animal is not a substitute for health care and population management.

Rejecting the claim that foxes can transmit the virus for years without showing any symptoms, Khalili says: Foxes are sensitive species to rabies, and contracting this disease usually leads to death. It's not like a fox can stay asymptomatic for years and spread the virus. He continues: An infected animal can transmit the virus through saliva before symptoms appear, but this is different from being a carrier for several years.

However, the role of foxes in rabies transmission cannot be completely ruled out. The World Health Organization lists foxes, along with some other wild animals, as hosts of the virus in the wildlife cycle. Therefore, investigating the possibility of increasing the presence of foxes in Tehran and its health consequences, requires field data and expert evaluation.

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