Department of Wildlife presentation scheduled

This Department of Wildlife is scheduled to hold a presentation at 6 p.m., Thursday April 20, 2023, at the Southwest Technology Center, 711 W. Tamarack Road in Altus.

This presentation will include training and information on how to deal with the wildlife moving into the Urban areas. Diseased wildlife can pose problems for humans as well as domestic animals. This training will deal with how you should or should not interact with the wild animals that may roam in your neighborhood.

Jackson County Ranger Daniel Perkins, will be hosting the presentation with the assistance of the Altus, Jackson County, and Greer County Emergency Managers. 

Reports from across the U.S. talk about urbanization causing native wildlife to move into neighborhoods, sometimes killing domesticated pets or causing other chaos in communities.

The presentation will also discuss dealing with the rabies threat. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), rabies can affect any mammal, including humans.

The CDC says although rabies is rare in people in the United States, with only 1 to 3 cases reported annually, still about 60,000 Americans get post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) each year to prevent rabies infection after being bitten or scratched by an infected or suspected infected animal.

The wild animals that most commonly carry rabies in the United States are raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes, all of which are commonly found in populated areas.

For any additional information, you can call 580-481-8100 or email Daniel.perkins@odwc.ok.gov.