Canine distemper virus has killed five tigers at Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has issued an emergency advisory ordering every tiger reserve in India to vaccinate surrounding dogs. In Rajasthan, home to 117 tigers across two reserves, not one dog has been vaccinated.
The virus, commonly carried by dogs, can kill a tiger within 24 hours of the first visible symptom. The NTCA advisory, issued on May 5, directs all reserves to create an “immunisation buffer” by vaccinating domestic and stray dogs in nearby villages, in coordination with the Animal Husbandry Department.
Madhya Pradesh responded within days. Veterinary teams vaccinated 450 dogs in villages surrounding Kanha. Rajasthan has not started.
Fifty-two tigers live in Sariska Tiger Reserve. Sixty-five live in Ranthambore National Park. Both reserves have unvaccinated dogs and cattle moving through and around their boundaries daily.
At Sariska, the Field Director has written to the District Forest Officer and plans to approach the Animal Husbandry Department. No vaccination date has been set. Officials are currently only watching tigers for signs of illness.
“We have increased surveillance on tigers. However, everything is normal for now,” said Sangram Singh, Field Director of Sariska — a reserve that once lost its entire tiger population and spent years rebuilding it through relocation.
At Ranthambore, officials sent samples from a rescued leopard to two laboratories after the advisory. Both tests returned negative. Tiger samples will only be collected if symptoms appear. Dog vaccination has not been discussed.
Heat Is Making It Worse
Summer temperatures near 45°C are lowering immunity across wildlife, increasing the risk that exposure becomes infection.
“A tigress that appeared normal just three days ago died suddenly. If a tiger falls even mildly ill, the virus can turn fatal within 24 hours,” said Dr. Samita Rajora, Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh.
A wolf at Jodhpur Biological Park in Rajasthan also died from the same virus. The Indian Veterinary Research Institute confirmed the cause on April 13.
The advisory has been issued. The deaths have been counted. In Rajasthan, the dogs remain unvaccinated.
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