Has a "frenzied badger" appeared again in Gukeng Township, Yunlin County? Since 2013, when ferret-badgers infected with rabies were found dead in the mountainous areas of Gukeng Township, the region has yet to be removed from the list of epidemic areas. In the past half month, several people exercising on the Yuyu Song Trail in Yongguang Village have been bitten by ferret-badgers that suddenly rushed out. The Yunlin County Animal and Plant Disease Control Center has urged that since the attacking ferret-badgers are acting against their usual habits, rabies infection cannot be ruled out. Hikers in the mountainous areas are advised to carry trekking poles for self-defense.
Over the past five years, there have been reports in the mountainous areas of Gukeng Township of ferret-badgers attacking people, entering homes, and fighting with pet dogs. Some dead ferret-badgers found by the roadside were sent for testing and were confirmed to carry the rabies virus. In the past half month, three incidents of ferret-badgers attacking people have occurred on the Yuyu Song Trail in Yongguang Village.
Residents of Yongguang Village pointed out that about half a month ago, a woman went hiking on the Yuyu Song Trail with friends at around 5 a.m. Among them, a woman surnamed Xu was attacked by a ferret-badger that darted out from the bushes. She tripped over a branch while trying to dodge and the ferret-badger pounced and bit her on the back. The woman later went to the hospital to receive a rabies vaccine.
An 82-year-old man surnamed Huang was also startled by a ferret-badger that suddenly rushed out while he was taking a walk on the Yuyu Song Trail at around 5 a.m. recently. The elderly man fought back with his cane, and the ferret-badger fled after being unable to win.
At around 6 a.m. on the 16th, a male villager was also attacked by a ferret-badger while passing by the Yuyu Song Trail. The man reacted too late and was bitten on the foot by the ferret-badger. He then beat the ferret-badger to death with his cane and went to the hospital to receive a rabies vaccine.
The Animal and Plant Disease Control Center stated that no samples have been received yet to draw a definitive conclusion, but ferret-badgers are nocturnal animals that should flee when they see humans. The fact that they are attacking people in the early morning suggests behavior contrary to their habits, and rabies infection cannot be ruled out. Gukeng Township remains an epidemic area to this day, and the center urges hikers to carry trekking poles for self-defense when going into the mountains.
The control center stated that preventing diseases among wild animals is inherently challenging. In the future, efforts will continue to strengthen rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats in Gukeng Township. The public is reminded not to feed or harass wild animals if they encounter them.