The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture’s Wildlife Division, in partnership with Memorial University, is conducting testing for avian influenza in furbearers.
Trappers are encouraged to submit skinned carcasses of the following species:
- Red fox
- Arctic fox
- Weasel
- Beaver
- Lynx
- Labrador marten
- Mink
- Muskrat
- Otter
Memorial University will provide a $10 carcass collection payment for each specimen submitted, up to a total of 1,000 specimens. This program will only apply for the remainder of the 2024/25 trapping season.
Payment eligibility is on a first-received basis until payment forms for 1,000 registered carcasses have been collected (500 from Labrador and 500 from the Island of Newfoundland). Payments will be issued at the end of the collection process.
Carcasses can be submitted to any Forestry and Wildlife office. All seasons and methods of capture must align with provincial regulations. For more information contact the Wildlife Division at 709-637-2025.
While the likelihood of becoming infected with avian influenza virus is low, individuals should still be cautious when handling wildlife. Follow biosecurity measures and safe-handling and cleaning guidelines such as wearing rubber gloves, using a well-ventilated area and washing your hands and surfaces.
Information on preventing the spread of avian influenza is available from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s website. Hunters and trappers should also follow Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines regarding wildlife and avian influenza.
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