The Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a devastating outbreak that has claimed the lives of a mother tiger and her four cubs within a span of 10 days.
According to officials, the cause of death was attributed to respiratory disorder and gastrointestinal infection, but they suspect an outbreak of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV).
Forest department officials have begun monitoring other tigers in the wild following the deaths and have started testing water samples to confirm the presence of CDV.
Kanha is home to around 140 tigers living in an area of 2,000 square kilometers, making it one of the most crowded feline habitats in the country.
Some experts believe that the outbreak is a result of CDV, which can be spread through dogs that drink from the same water bodies used by wild animals or feed on herbivores or prey killed by tigers.
Wildlife Conservation Trust director Anish Andheria has urged a complete ban on the free movement of dogs near forest areas to prevent the spread of the virus.
Since January, seven tigers have died in Kanha Tiger Reserve, with officials attributing the deaths to natural reasons or infighting.
The crowding in the reserve poses its own risks, and experts are concerned that the outbreak may spread to other areas.
