MP: Panna forest management vaccinates 600 dogs to save tigers

The Panna Tiger Reserve management has been vaccinating dogs in villages adjoining the reserve for the past two weeks. By doing so, it aims to keep canine distemper virus and seven other deadly diseases -- which can also spread to tigers and other animals — at bay.

The Panna Tiger Reserve management has been vaccinating dogs in villages adjoining the reserve for the past two weeks. By doing so, it aims to keep canine distemper virus and seven other deadly diseases -- which can also spread to tigers and other animals — at bay.

(Representative image) The Panna Tiger Reserve management has been vaccinating dogs in villages adjoining the reserve for the past two weeks to keep deadly canine distemper virus at bay. (HT File Photo)

The management has identified as many as 1,200 dogs for vaccination, of which 600 have already been vaccinated. “The villagers have been urged to cooperate in the vaccination process,” said a statement issued by the state.

Canine distemper, which is a highly contagious viral disease, does not have a proper treatment. The infection causes multiple diseases in affected animals. Last month, six tigers and a lion had died at Indiana in America, the statement added. In October this year, activist Ajay Dubey had raised the canine virus issue at Panna.

According to a National Referral Centre report on Wildlife Healthcare in Bareili, the tigress that died at Panna in September had canine distemper virus in the brain tissue, said Dubey.