City Launches Rabies Vaccination Effort In Uptown Parks

UPPER MANHATTAN, NY — New York City officials launched an ambitious rabies vaccination program targeting raccoon populations in several Upper Manhattan parks after four rabid raccoons were discovered in Inwood Hill Park in March.

The city Department of Health and the city Parks Department will partner with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to capture and vaccinate raccoons in Inwood Hill, Isham, Fort Tryon, Fort Washington and Riverbank parks as well as the northern end of Central Park, city officials announced Monday.

"This is a preventative measure to ensure that our residents remain safe," Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot said in a statement. "Rabies is a serious illness, so I encourage New Yorkers to vaccinate their pets and keep a close eye on them when outdoors and to respect wildlife by keeping a safe distance."

What's being called the TVR effort — trap, vaccinate and release — will begin Monday and should remain in effect for about two weeks, city officials said. Traps will be placed in remote areas of the targeted parks. City officials will also administer oral rabies vaccines in areas that proved too difficult to set traps.

If you find a trap or an oral vaccination bait while visiting a park be sure to avoid contact, city officials said. Emergency contact information will be displayed on all traps that are set in the parks.

Four infected raccoons were found in and around the expansive Inwood Hill Park since January, marking the first reported rabies outbreak among Manhattan's raccoon population since 2011, city health officials announced.

"Raccoons are a natural part of our city," Sarah Aucoin, Chief of Education & Wildlife for NYC Parks, said in a statement. "Although it’s very rare to come into contact with a rabid raccoon, we want to remind all New Yorkers that if you see a raccoon, you should give them space - never approach or try to feed them."

Residents living near the affected parks are also being warned to be extra careful when walking their pets. Pet owners should take their animals to the veterinarian to make sure their vaccinations are up to date, city officials said.