Contagious Canine Distemper Virus found among wild animals in Sambhajinagar region

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: According to official records, suspected cases of CDV — a highly contagious viral disease that jumps from domestic dogs to wild carnivores — have already been observed in eight jackals, six foxes, and three civet cats.Wildlife rescuer Ashish Joshi highlighted the predatory impact of these dogs, noting that their presence in grassland habitats and scrublands has led to a surge in attacks on native species. In 2025 alone, stray dog packs reportedly attacked 27 Nilgai, 18 Blackbuck, and 14 Langurs. "Free-ranging dogs exhibit strong predatory behaviour, targeting small mammals like hares, deer fawns, and ground-nesting birds. This rapid population growth is pushing the local ecosystem towards an ecological crisis," Joshi said.Beyond predation and disease, experts are alarmed by the risk of "genetic pollution". In forest-fringe areas, stray dogs have been observed moving alongside Indian wolves. This proximity raises the risk of hybridisation, which could compromise the genetic integrity of native wolf populations, altering their natural hunting strategies and threatening their long-term survival.Deputy conservator of forests Suvarna Mane said that the issue concerned requires a multi-pronged administrative response. "The uncontrolled growth of the stray dog population is a critical concern for conservation. We need coordinated sterilisation, vaccination, and effective waste management in areas adjacent to forests. Without regular surveillance and scientific intervention, the consequences for our wildlife could be irreversible," she said.The crisis is not confined to the woods. Joshi noted that the problem is increasingly intersecting with urban safety. "There is a reported rise in dog attacks involving children and citizens in peri-urban areas. When you factor in the risk of zoonotic diseases like rabies, this becomes a matter of public health and urban governance as much as environmental management," he added.