STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Visitors to a popular nature preserve on Staten Island are being urged to use extra caution after a fox that may be infected with rabies reportedly bit a visitor.

The warning is in effect at Mount Loretto Unique Area, a 241-acre nature preserve located along Staten Island’s south shore.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the incident was reported Friday, prompting officials to issue a safety advisory for people visiting the preserve.

The DEC warned visitors Saturday that a fox in the area may be infected with rabies and urged anyone spending time at the preserve to remain vigilant.

The potentially infected animal has not been reported as captured, meaning visitors are being asked to take precautions while officials continue monitoring the area.

Visitors Told to Stay Away From Wildlife

The DEC is advising people visiting Mount Loretto to avoid contact with animals and exercise caution while exploring the preserve.

Wild animals can behave unpredictably, particularly when they are sick or injured. Officials are therefore asking visitors not to approach, feed or attempt to interact with wildlife they encounter.

The advisory is expected to remain in place through at least Monday, giving environmental authorities time to closely monitor the area and search for signs of the fox.

Anyone who sees a fox displaying unusual behavior is encouraged to report the sighting rather than approaching the animal. The DEC has provided a dedicated dispatch number for reports: 1-844-DEC-ECOS (1-844-332-3267).

Rabies Cases Rising Across NYC Boroughs

The warning comes amid concerns about rabies activity among wildlife in New York City.

According to city data cited in the report, 20 rabies cases have already been recorded across Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island this year.

By late August, Brooklyn had reported five cases, while Queens had recorded six. Staten Island had recorded nine cases, matching the borough’s total for all of 2025.

The pace has also reportedly been higher than last year, with the current number of cases across the three boroughs running 57% faster than last year.

Staten Island has recorded 26 confirmed rabies cases since 2022, according to NYC Health Department data cited in the report. Queens has reported 39 cases during that period, giving it the highest total among the city’s boroughs.

The numbers highlight why officials are urging residents and visitors to take wildlife encounters seriously.

What to Know About Rabies

Rabies is a deadly viral disease most commonly transmitted through the bite of an infected animal.

Wild animals including raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes can carry and spread the virus. Because rabies can become fatal once symptoms begin, potential exposure requires prompt medical attention.

Nearly 100 Degrees: Major Heat Wave Targets Chicago, Philadelphia and Raleigh Ahead of Labor Day Weekend

Fortunately, post-exposure treatment is highly effective when administered before symptoms develop.

Treatment can include an initial dose of human rabies immune globulin, followed by four doses of rabies vaccine over a two-week period, according to the information provided in the report.

The treatment works by helping the body fight the virus before it reaches the brain.

However, once someone begins showing symptoms of rabies, the disease is almost always fatal, making quick action after a potential exposure especially important.

Officials Urge Visitors to Report Suspicious Fox Sightings

For now, officials are asking people to remain alert while visiting Mount Loretto Unique Area.

Visitors should keep their distance from wildlife and avoid any animal that appears unusually aggressive, disoriented, fearless or otherwise abnormal.

The recent bite is a reminder that even animals encountered in familiar outdoor spaces can pose serious risks when they are infected with diseases such as rabies.

Anyone who spots a fox behaving unusually in or around the preserve should contact NYSDEC Dispatch at 1-844-DEC-ECOS rather than attempting to approach or capture it.

With the advisory remaining in effect through at least Monday, visitors are being urged to put safety first while authorities continue looking for the potentially rabid fox.

Have you ever encountered a wild fox or another animal behaving strangely in your neighborhood? Share your experience in the comments.