Centre, state govt taking CDV spread at Kanha Tiger Reserve seriously: Bhupender Yadav

The canine distemper virus has claimed six tiger lives at Madhya Pradesh's Kanha Tiger Reserve, prompting intensified patrolling and vaccination efforts to prevent further spread.

The spread of the canine distemper virus (CDV) among tigers in Madhya Pradesh's Kanha Tiger Reserve has been taken seriously by the central and state governments, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Tuesday.

In an interview with PTI, Yadav said that after the last month's incident, the state forest department intensified patrolling, surveillance and camera trap monitoring besides due scanning and sanitation of the affected area.

On Tuesday, another tiger is suspected to have died due to the virus,” commonly found in dogs,” at the reserve, taking the total number of such fatalities to six.

In April, a tigress and four cubs lost their lives at the reserve after suffering lung infection caused by the CDV.

''Vaccination of stray and domestic dogs has also been initiated to prevent further spread of the disease,'' the environment minister said.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) officials have also visited the site and the state has been advised to maintain strict vigilance and strengthen disease surveillance.

On May 5, the NTCA issued an advisory to all tiger-bearing states to remain alert and take preventive and proactive measures with respect to the CDV, according to Yadav.

''Animal Welfare Board of India has also been taken into loop to effectively address the issues especially with respect to the straying of domestic dogs in the vicinity of tiger reserves,'' said the minister.