Bhopal: A tigress and her four cubs have died within a span of nine days in Kanha National Park, with officials suspecting Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) as a possible cause. Forest authorities confirmed that three cubs of the 10-year-old tigress, identified as T-141, were found dead between April 21 and April 25. The tigress and her remaining cub, which were later discovered in a weak condition, died on April 29 despite being shifted to a rescue centre for treatment.
According to kanha national park forest officials, the deaths are currently being linked to respiratory and gastrointestinal complications, though CDV infection has not been ruled out. Samples have been sent for testing, and the final confirmation is awaited. The suspected presence of CDV has raised serious concerns among authorities, given that the reserve is home to over 200 tigers.
Sources suggest that the tigress may have contracted the virus after feeding on an infected dog, which then spread to her cubs. After the initial discovery of the cubs’ carcasses, forest teams launched a search operation and located the tigress and her last cub in the Sarhi range on April 26 in a critical state. They were taken to the Mukki rescue centre, where they eventually succumbed to the illness.
In response, forest officials have initiated extensive preventive measures, including monitoring wildlife closely and identifying any infected animals in and around the reserve. A strict watch is being maintained on tiger movement to detect any early signs of infection.
Meanwhile, wildlife activist Ajey Dubey has criticized the authorities, alleging that preventive norms set by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), such as vaccinating dogs and other animals within a 5-kilometre radius of the reserve, were not properly followed, which may have contributed to the outbreak.
