27th Tiger Found Dead in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Suspected Canine Distemper Outbreak
A tragic incident unfolded in the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Saturday when an adult male tiger, estimated to be between six and seven years old, was discovered deceased near the Dhamela watchtower in the Mala forest range. This marks the 27th tiger death recorded in the district since 2012, raising significant concerns among wildlife conservationists and forest authorities.
Discovery and Immediate Response
A vigilant forest patrol team initially spotted the tiger lying motionless and promptly alerted senior officials. The death was officially confirmed around 8 pm after forest personnel reached the location and retrieved the carcass for further examination. Senior officials, including PTR field director Pinaki Prasad Singh, officiating divisional forest officer Bharat Kumar DK, and range officer Robin Kumar Singh, conducted a thorough inspection of the remains.
During the inspection, officials noted that there were no visible external injuries on the tiger, and its canines and claws remained intact. The carcass was subsequently transported to the Bareilly-based Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) for a detailed postmortem examination on Sunday to determine the precise cause of death.
Suspected Cause and Preliminary Findings
Forest officials have identified canine distemper as a potential cause of death. Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects carnivores and is often transmitted through contact with feral dogs or jackals. Given that the carcass was found near a water body and approximately 2 kilometers from human habitation, poisoning was initially considered a possibility. However, IVRI veterinarians conducted a preliminary examination and ruled out poisoning as a contributing factor.
"IVRI experts have collected samples to test for canine distemper (CD), as it is suspected as a possible cause of death," stated field director Pinaki Prasad Singh. "If the report confirms a positive result, we will implement measures to vaccinate dogs in villages near the reserve to prevent further transmission to wild carnivores."
Historical Context and Broader Implications
Official records reveal a troubling trend in Pilibhit, with approximately 26 tiger deaths reported between May 24, 2012, and June 1, 2024. Notably, no tiger deaths were recorded in the fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26, making this latest case the 27th since 2012. Additionally, 16 leopard deaths were documented between March 3, 2018, and December 31, 2024, highlighting ongoing challenges in wildlife conservation in the region.
The cumulative number of tiger deaths in Pilibhit since 2012 surpasses the current tiger populations in several reserves across India. For instance, reserves such as Dampa in Mizoram (0 tigers), Buxa in West Bengal (1 tiger), Palamau in Jharkhand (1 tiger), Namdapha in Arunachal Pradesh (1 tiger), Similipal in Odisha (16 tigers), Sariska in Rajasthan (19 tigers), and Kalakad Mundanthurai in Tamil Nadu (5 tigers) all have lower populations than the death toll in Pilibhit alone.
This incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced monitoring, vaccination programs for domestic and feral animals near wildlife habitats, and robust conservation strategies to protect India's iconic tiger population from diseases and other threats.
