Madhya Pradesh races to vaccinate dogs after deadly virus kills tigress and cubs

Madhya Pradesh’s tiger reserves are racing to vaccinate stray dogs after a deadly outbreak of canine distemper virus (CDV) killed a tigress and her four cubs. The push comes as authorities warn that infected dogs can spread the disease to big cats when they scavenge on prey remains left by tigers. The recent deaths in Kanha Tiger Reserve triggered urgent action across the state. A tigress and her cubs succumbed to CDV after likely contracting it from infected stray dogs. The virus spreads when dogs feed on tiger kills and leave behind contaminated saliva, which tigers later ingest while returning to carcasses.

Panna Tiger Reserve has now launched a mission-style vaccination drive for dogs in surrounding villages. Kuno National Park is following suit, targeting stray populations near its boundaries as a precaution. Meanwhile, Satpura Tiger Reserve, which previously focused on cattle vaccinations, has shifted efforts to counting and immunising local dogs. State officials have ordered all national parks and tiger reserves to expand dog vaccination programmes in nearby settlements. The goal is to create a buffer zone that reduces the risk of CDV jumping from domestic animals to endangered tigers.

The vaccination campaign covers villages on the fringes of protected areas. By targeting stray dogs, authorities aim to cut off a key transmission route for CDV. The measures come as reserves work to prevent further tiger deaths from the virus.