Indian wolf found dead in Daund forest, officials suspect deadly canine disease

Pune: Forest authorities in Daund tehsil of the district said on Monday they suspect that canine distemper likely caused the death of an Indian wolf that was found decomposed in the Hingnigada forest area.Canine distemper or canine distempter virus (CDV) infection is a highly contagious disease that affects dogs and wild carnivores such as wolves, foxes and hyenas. It doesn’t transmit to humans. Authorities said so far 15 wild animals have tested positive for CDV in the Pune forest division, including wolves, jackals, foxes and a civet cat. The Pune forest division comprises Daund, Purandar, Indapur and Baramati.Rahul Patil, deputy conservator of forest (Pune division), said: “Most of the CDV cases are from Daund, Indapur and Baramati forests. Since it’s being transmitted from domestic animals and stray dogs, we have asked the state animal husbandry department to take the necessary steps to control it.”Last year, six Indian wolves had died due to CDV in the Hingnigada forest. The species is found in substantial numbers in Hingnigada and Undawadi forest areas of Daund and has some presence in Indapur, Purandar and Baramati areas.Neha Panchamia, a wildlife expert with RESQ, said: “CDV spread in Pune circle is worrisome for wild animals because it can wipe out populations if necessary measures are not taken. Since these forest pockets are unprotected, it is also difficult to implement counter-measures.”Panchamia added CDV mainly transmits from stray dogs. “And in these forests, stray dogs are in abundance. They have become a major problem for the forest department,” she said.