Canine disease kills eight jackals in Assam zoo

At least eight jackals have died at the Assam zoo here due to a virus associated with canines. The zoo had 18 jackals until two weeks ago.

The zoo’s divisional forest officer Tejas Mariswamy said canine distemper virus (CDV) is suspected to be the prime cause behind the death of the jackals. “We are taking precautionary measures so that it doesn’t spread to other animals, including tigers and lions,” he added.

“CDV is common in pet dogs and cats. The virus does not affect humans but they may be carriers, and we get many visitors every day,” Mr. Mariswamy said.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday visited the zoo to take stock of the prevalence of CDV. He directed the zoo authorities to vaccinate all the animals in the zoo as a preventive step.