Canine Virus in Ranchi Zoo | 14 Apr 2022

Why in News?

On April 13, 2022, Director of Ranchi Zoo (Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park) Jabbar Singh informed that seven foxes have died of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) at Birsa Zoo in Ranchi in the past one month.

Key Points

• Canine distemper virus causes severe infections of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, respiratory and central nervous systems, as well as the eyes, primarily in dogs.
• It can also affect wild carnivores such as wolves, foxes, raccoons, red pandas, ferrets, hyenas, tigers and lions.
• The spread and diversity of this virus in the wildlife of India has not been adequately studied.
• It is noteworthy that foxes are an endangered species protected under Schedule-II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.