Rabies case detected in Tadoba tiger reserve as stray dog succumbs

For the first time a stray dog in the buffer zone of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve TATR has died of rabies In response the TATR administration is implementing preventive measures and experts on the ground have said this is an isolated case so there is no cause for panicDr Jitendra Ramgaonkar Field Director and Chief Conservator of Forests CCF at TATR said ldquoWe are conducting our ABC program for stray dogs in nonforest areas and villages in the buffer zone One of the captured dogs from Kolara village tested positive for rabies As a preventive measure we have administered vaccinations There are no rabid dogs in either the core or buffer forest areas of TATRrdquoOne of the captured dogs from Kolara village tested positive for rabiesA Standard Operating Procedure SOP established by the National Tiger Conservation Authority NTCA is already in place to manage stray and feral dogs in tiger reserves The SOP aims to minimise disease transmission and physical threats to tigers and other wildlife particularly young and juvenile animalsWildlife Veterinarian Bahar Baviskar founder amp executive director of WildCER said ldquoAs part of the ABC program in buffer zone villages we recently found a dog that tested positive for rabies Other dogs from that village have been isolated and are under health monitoring So far this is the only confirmed case and there is no immediate cause for concern Every dog brought in for ABC is vaccinated against rabies and other diseases before being releasedrdquoThrough WildCERrsquos One Health initiative a dedicated health centre has been established in TATR Maharashtra ldquoRecently we held an ABC camp where 151 dogs were neutered and immunised with the antirabies vaccinerdquo Baviskar addedHighlighting the importance of conservation medicine he pointed out that diseases in wildlife are often understudied with many cases going unreported ldquoFurther research is needed to understand the true extent of disease threats to wildliferdquo he said WildCER has also launched rabies awareness campaigns around TATR including mass vaccination drives and educational programmes for schools and local communitiesOther sideDr Nikhil Sopan Bangar wildlife veterinary officer at the Maharashtra Forest Department described the presence of a rabid domestic dog in TATRrsquos buffer zone as a serious risk to both wildlife and humans ldquoRabies is a fatal viral disease spread through bites scratches or saliva The infected dogrsquos presence increases the risk of transmission to wild carnivores such as tigers leopards and jackals which could then exhibit aggressive behaviour neurological symptoms and eventually die The disease can also spread to other domestic animals and humans making vaccination and awareness crucialrdquoldquoSurveillance and vaccination efforts in Tadoba are commendable These measures helped detect the rabiesinfected dog If necessary affected animals may need to be removed or isolated to prevent an outbreak Strict surveillance prompt reporting and vaccination campaigns are essential to contain the spread Immediate action is needed to safeguard wildlife and local communitiesrdquo Bangar addedWildlife Conservationist Kedar Gore from the Corbett Foundation said ldquoThe death of a dog due to rabies in Tadobarsquos buffer zone calls for close monitoring of other dogs and even jackals or wolves that may show symptomsrdquoHe also highlighted the potential for disease transmission through scavenging ldquoDogs often feed on livestock carcasses killed by tigers or leopards which in turn attract scavengers like hyenas and jackals This increases the risk of disease spread Hopefully immediate vaccination efforts will help protect the remaining dog population in the areardquo