Ahmedabad: The fear of fatal re-pairing of the canine distemper virus and the Babesia parasite — replaying their combined attack in 2018 — has come back to haunt the state forest department as it reels under the death of 10 cubs and three adult lions in the Gir landscape. In 2018, the virus-parasite combination killed 11 lions.A top forest department source said, “Initial assessments point to high possibility of CDV-Babesiosis infection, a situation similar to the 2018 outbreak in which 11 Asiatic lions died after being infected by both diseases simultaneously.”The source said, “While tick-borne babesiosis infections are periodically reported in the Gir ecosystem, wildlife experts say mortality rises sharply when lions, weakened by the parasitic infection, are also exposed to CDV. Since more lions have died, we are looking into possibility of CDV presence as well.”Gujarat forest and environment minister Arjun Modhwadia said samples from the dead animals have been sent to the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) for detailed analysis. “The report is expected by Monday or Tuesday. The GBRC will examine the possibility of CDV and babesiosis simultaneously affecting the lions,” Modhwadia said.The minister said that the deaths of eight lion cubs have been officially recorded from four different locations in the Babrakot area of Amreli district and Gir-Gadhada in Gir Somnath district.Authorities have isolated lions within a 10-km radius of the affected sites and launched intensive de-ticking operations as a precautionary measure. Recent reports indicate the suspected deaths have largely been linked to the babesiosis infection, while laboratory tests are underway to determine whether CDV is also present.Wildlife Institute of India experts familiar with big cat diseases said both CDV and babesiosis have existed in the Gir ecosystem for years. However, the combination of the two significantly increases the risk of death, particularly among cubs.“Babesiosis alone generally causes a gradual decline in immunity. Deaths due to babesiosis are comparatively rare and usually occur over an extended period,” said a wildlife disease expert. “The parasite is transmitted through ticks and causes weakness, fever, respiratory distress, and a decline in overall health.”According to experts, once an animal’s immunity has been weakened by babesiosis, CDV can rapidly take hold. The virus attacks multiple organ systems and suppresses immune responses, making recovery difficult, especially in cubs.“The high number of cub deaths is a worrying indicator. Cubs in their first year have lower immunity,” an expert said.Veterinary experts explained that babesiosis infects red blood cells and damages them, leading to anaemia and severe weakness. With immunity already compromised, CDV can spread quickly throughout the body.Similar disease dynamics were observed during the 2018 outbreak, which prompted emergency disease-control measures across the Gir landscape.Sources in the forest department said the improper disposal and skinning of cattle carcasses may help ticks proliferate.Experts have stressed the need for stronger waste management, systematic carcass disposal, and year-round disease surveillance.With summer temperatures rising and tick activity increasing, wildlife managers fear that any delay in detecting a CDV-babesiosis combination could pose a serious threat to vulnerable lion cubs in the Gir landscape.
