100+ tigers at Kanha underbio-watch after virus kills 6

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh wildlife HQ has placed more than 100 tigers in Kanha National Park under close surveillance, following six Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)- linked tiger deaths, even as an expert team from National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Bengaluru, has called for a scientific sero-prevalence study of stray dogs and cats around Kanha to map viral circulation and shape long-term disease prevention strategies.

The alert follows recent deaths of tigress T-141 and her four cubs in Kanha’s Sarhi range, and a male tiger, aged around 6 years, in Mukki range Tuesday. Laboratory testing conducted by School of Wildlife Forensic and Health, Jabalpur, confirmed the presence of CDV through RT-PCR analysis, leading authorities to conclude that all fatalities were linked to the viral infection.

The NTCA team has recommended closer monitoring of stray dog movement near tiger habitats, continued testing of water sources and carnivore samples, stricter regulation of food waste around tourism facilities, and priority vaccination of dogs in villages surrounding the reserve, with concerns that infected canines may be the most likely pathway for the virus to enter Kanha’s tiger landscape.

Chief wildlife warden Samita Rajora has constituted a special monitoring team with instructions to maintain an “over-cautious” watch on tiger behaviour. Field staff have been directed to immediately report even subtle warning signs, including limping, weakness and abnormal movement. As part of an expanded containment strategy, authorities have decided to tranquilise nearly 10% of tigers within the identified containment zone for scientific sampling, officials said.