Madhya Pradesh races to vaccinate stray dogs after tiger deaths from distemper
Wildlife authorities in Madhya Pradesh are rushing to vaccinate stray dogs near tiger reserves. The move follows a deadly outbreak of canine distemper virus (CDV) in Kanha Tiger Reserve, where a tigress and her four cubs died from the disease. Officials now fear the virus could spread further if left unchecked. The crisis began when CDV killed a tigress and her cubs in Kanha. Investigations revealed that tigers can contract the virus by feeding on carcasses contaminated with saliva from infected dogs. Stray dogs often scavenge on prey killed by tigers, leaving behind traces of the virus.
All national parks and tiger reserves in the state have now received orders to vaccinate dogs in surrounding villages. Kuno National Park has already started the process as a precaution. Panna Tiger Reserve is pushing ahead with an urgent vaccination drive, treating the situation as a high-priority mission.
Satpura Tiger Reserve, which previously focused on vaccinating cattle, has shifted its attention to dogs. Teams there are now counting and immunising strays to prevent the virus from reaching wild tigers. The vaccination campaigns aim to stop CDV from spreading among tigers through infected dogs. By targeting villages near reserves, authorities hope to create a buffer against further outbreaks. The loss of the tigress and her cubs in Kanha has made the drive more urgent than ever.
