A deadly combination of Canine Distemper Virus and Protozoal infection is responsible for death of at least 11 of 23 lions in Gujarat's Gir forest since September 12, the state government said Wednesday.
The condition of three of over 36 lions currently under observation of Forest department is critical, officials said.
Interestingly, Forest department has been maintaining that injuries caused by infighting is the cause behind the deaths of big cats in their only abode in Asia.
As a precautionary measure, 300 shots of vaccine are imported from the US to protect the lions of Gir, they said.
State Forest and Environment Minister Ganpat Vasava told reporters that Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) was found in the samples of four of the eleven dead lions by Pune-based National Institute of Virology, and Protozoa in the rest seven.
Canine distemper is a contagious viral disease that affects a wide variety of animal species, including dogs, coyotes, foxes, pandas and wolves. It attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of animals.
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In the past, CDV had wiped out 30 per cent of total population of lions in Serengeti forest areas in East Africa.
"Samples of four dead lions examined by a Pune-based laboratory (National Institute of Virology) contained Canine Distemper Virus," Vasava told reporters.
Additional Chief Secretary, state forest department, Rajiv Kumar Gupta said CDV didn't cause deaths but it affects immunity of infected lions.
"Lions with CDV can be infected by Protozoa infection which is spread by ticks. Presence of both of these causes death. We have found CDV in four and Protozoa in seven out of eleven dead lions," Gupta said.
He said the government has taken a serious note of the presence of CDV though its spread is restricted to four lions so far.
"We have urgently imported 300 (shots of) a vaccine from Atlanta, which we will administer to 36 lions, if needed, who are under observation," he said.
Gupta said Forest personnel will collect random samples of blood and swabs of lions from other ranges of the Gir forest, as a measure to ascertain their health status.
"In the next seven days, we will vaccinate all the cattle present in surrounding areas of the Gir forest," he said.
"We have also sought national and international help to fight the menace on directions of chief minister (Vijay Rupani). We are also seeking the help of experts of Royal Veterinary Society of London," he said.
The Forest department had launched a screening operation in Dalkhaniya range of Gir sanctuary to identify sick lions following the death of 11 big cats between September 12 and 19.
A total of 12 sick lions, which were caught and shifted to a rescue centre, have died since then, taking the toll to 23.
According to a 2015 census, Gir is home to 523 lions, including 109 male, 201 female, 73 sub-adults and 140 cubs.
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