Leopard Carcass Discovered in Pilibhit Sugarcane Field, Suspected Viral Infection
The forest department in Uttar Pradesh made a concerning discovery on Saturday morning when they recovered the carcass of a leopard from a sugarcane field. The location was approximately 400 meters from the buffer forest zone of the Mailani forest range in Shrinagar Gautia village, Pilibhit district. Villagers had alerted officials to the presence of the dead animal, prompting immediate investigation.
Examination Reveals Signs of Canine Distemper Virus
Forest officials conducted a thorough examination of the leopard carcass at the forest range headquarters. While the animal's canines, claws, skin, and fur remained intact, one canine displayed noticeable signs of enamel hypoplasia. This dental condition strongly indicates a possible infection with the canine distemper virus (CDV), a serious threat to wild carnivores.
H Rajamohan, the field director of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR), took swift action by deputing three veterinary officers to perform the autopsy. Among them was Dr Daya Shankar, who provided crucial insights based on previous cases. Shankar revealed that viscera examination reports from four leopards found dead last year in rural areas near the Dhaurhara forest range of North Kheri forest division had confirmed CDV as the definitive cause of death.
Leopard's Behavior and Potential Infection Source
Manoj Kumar Shrivastav, the Khutar forest range officer, provided additional context about the deceased leopard. The nine-year-old feline had been observed moving across more than a dozen villages for over a month, displaying clear signs of restlessness and abnormal behavior. "The animal preyed on feral dogs, which are common carriers of the virus and may have infected it," Shrivastav explained, highlighting a likely transmission pathway.
The autopsy itself did not reveal any visible external cause of death, further strengthening suspicions about canine distemper. As a precautionary measure, viscera samples were carefully preserved and dispatched to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bareilly for comprehensive analysis. Following the post-mortem examination, the leopard carcass was respectfully cremated.
Understanding the Threat of Canine Distemper Virus
Forest officials emphasized that CDV represents a significant danger to wildlife populations. The virus is highly contagious and often proves fatal among wild carnivores. Infection can lead to severe symptoms including seizures, paralysis, respiratory distress, and muscle stiffness while simultaneously weakening the immune system.
Rajamohan shared concerning observations from other areas: "We found a leopard cub and an adult feline in Majhgai forest range area showing symptoms of the virus. Of them, the cub was found tottering," indicating the virus's presence in multiple locations.
Preventive Measures and Vaccination Initiatives
Recognizing the substantial risk of virus transmission to tigers and other leopards, forest officials approached Anuradha Vemuri, the chief wildlife warden, with an urgent recommendation. They advocated for initiating vaccination programs targeting feral dogs through collaboration with the animal husbandry department and village panchayats.
Following Vemuri's intervention, the necessary funds have recently been sanctioned. The vaccination drive is expected to commence within a fortnight, focusing initially on sensitive areas with higher wildlife interaction. Officials noted that unlike domestic dogs, feral dogs require an initial vaccination followed by regular booster doses to maintain effective immunity against the virus.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges in wildlife conservation and the importance of proactive measures to protect vulnerable species from emerging health threats in their natural habitats.
