A ferret-badger infected with rabies bit someone in Taitung, raising concerns about hiking safety among nature enthusiasts. Senior forestry officials stated that ferret-badgers mostly inhabit deep mountains and, under normal circumstances, rarely appear on trails or forest roads frequently used by hikers. However, if you encounter a ferret-badger acting aggressively, it could be rabid—best to drive it away promptly to avoid being bitten.
Huang Qunce, former head of the Recreation Section at the Taitung Forest District Office, noted that rangers rarely recorded sightings of ferret-badgers during routine patrols of forest roads and trails. They were only spotted in remote areas via infrared automatic cameras, mainly because their habitats are not near roadsides or streams. Huang emphasized that hikers typically use established forest roads or trails, where human activity leaves traces, making encounters with ferret-badgers unlikely. Forestry officials further explained that most wild animals tend to keep their distance from humans, but if a ferret-badger acts aggressively toward people, it may be rabid—hikers should remain vigilant.
(BCC)