Mahoning Valley - In recent days, you might have spotted helicopters traveling back and forth throughout certain areas of the Valley.

Well, they are not part of some air show, but instead, a program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture helping protect wildlife from a deadly disease.

21 News received calls and emails about the somewhat strange flight patterns of two helicopters, leading people on social media to question if they were potentially searching for someone or something.

In reality, the helicopters were equipped with thousands of pounds worth of the rabies vaccine bait.

The choppers fly about 200 feet above the tree tops, traveling inch by inch and dropping the bait into areas like the Mahoning River and Mill Creek parks. It's an effort to ensure wild animals will eat the bait and prevent the spread of the disease.

More helicopters are scheduled to cover more ground later in the month for about three to five days.

"They will cover everything from the Pennsylvania state line, just this side of Akron. And again it's in a one-mile spacing so there will be a lot of overflight activity," Michael Stanko, president of  Gemco Aviation Services Inc. said. 

The USDA says the bait is safe for pets, but if you spot one, you should leave it where the helicopter dropped it.

The program has been ongoing for more than two decades.