For the first time, researchers have evidence that canine distemper virus could be affecting leopards in Nepal.
Alarmingly, leopard attacks in central Nepal have been increasing year after year. Additionally, videos of leopards acting unusually and approaching villages suggest that something could be altering their behavior. Significantly, the study’s samples came from animals involved in violent attacks against other animals, nonhuman or otherwise. Notably, the Nepalese government requires that authorities collect blood samples of such animals for research and identification.
Impressively, the study, published in Pathogens, included researchers from Cornell University in New York, The University of Kent, Canterbury, as well as conservation groups from Nepal and Thailand. According to conservation news service Mongabay, “ Nepal’s central foothills have long been a hotspot of human-leopard conflict, which experts attribute to a lack of wild prey, water and habitat for leopards.” However, this new study provides evidence that canine distemper virus, or CVD, is also playing an important role.
A Canine Virus Is Wreaking Havoc on Nepalese Leopards
“We found that most of the leopards from Tanahun we tested…showed signs of antibodies against the canine distemper virus,” said Dr. Amir Sadaula. Dr. Sadaula is a wildlife veterinarian and one of the study’s authors. “This means that they were exposed to the virus, which is known to make leopards weak and search for easy prey.”
According to the study, researchers tested 48 serum samples in total. Altogether, 28 were from Bengal tigers, and 20 came from Indian leopards. Meanwhile, of those, three tigers and six leopards showed antibodies congruent with CVD. Amazingly, based on these samples, CVD had infected 20 percent of the leopard population.
A Disturbing Outbreak That Needs Attention
Currently, scientists believe that leopards hunting feral dogs are what’s causing transmission. Interestingly, a 2019 study in Nepal’s Annapurna Conservation Area found that CDV had grown prevalent in feral dogs there as well.
Ultimately, what researchers have are theories and worrisome data. In their abstract, researchers say that although evidence supports that CDV could be a culprit, more research is needed.
