Canine distemper virus as a threat to wild tigers in Russia and across their range

Abstract

Canine distemper virus (CDV) has recently been identified in populations of wild tigers in Russia and India. Tiger populations are generally too small to maintain CDV for long periods, but are at risk of infections arising from more abundant susceptible hosts that constitute a reservoir of infection. Because CDV is an additive mortality factor, it could represent a significant threat to small, isolated tiger populations. In Russia, CDV was associated with the deaths of tigers in 2004 and 2010, and was coincident with a localized decline of tigers in Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Zapovednik (from 25 tigers in 2008 to 9 in 2012). Habitat continuity with surrounding areas likely played an important role in promoting an ongoing recovery. We recommend steps be taken to assess the presence and the impact of CDV in all tiger range states, but should not detract focus away from the primary threats to tigers, which include habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching and retaliatory killing. Research priorities include: (i) recognition and diagnosis of clinical cases of CDV in tigers when they occur; and (ii) collection of baseline data on the health of wild tigers. CDV infection of individual tigers need not imply a conservation threat, and modeling should complement disease surveillance and targeted research to assess the potential impact to tiger populations across the range of ecosystems, population densities and climate extremes occupied by tigers. Describing the role of domestic and wild carnivores as contributors to a local CDV reservoir is an important precursor to considering control measures.

Noninvasive genetics provides insights into the population size and genetic diversity of an Amur tiger population in China

“…It is a top predator, which makes it ecologically important in natural systems. However, due to anthropogenic habitat loss, poaching and disease, tiger populations have decreased sharply in recent decades (Gilbert et al 2015;Robinson et al 2015). Historically, there were 9 subspecies of tigers in the world, but 4 of them have become extinct in the wild in the twentieth century (Luo et al 2004;Tilson et al 2004).…”

The Amur tiger in Northeast Asia: Conservation and ecology of an endangered subspecies

“…These data are also is a stark reminder that tiger populations may grow slowly, but can decline very quickly. Following this introduction to tiger population dynamics, Gilbert et al () bring to our attention the emerging threat of canine distemper, assessing its impact on this particular population and its potential impact on all tiger populations. Robinson et al () continue the focus on this well‐studied subpopulation in Sikhote‐Alin Biosphere Zapovednik with an analysis of a long‐term dataset of radio‐collared tigers that offers additional insight into the potential impact of canine distemper, but also reaffirms earlier analyses (Goodrich et al ) demonstrating that poaching is by far the greatest source of mortality of Amur tigers.…”

Identifying ecological corridors for Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) and Amur leopards (Panthera pardus orientalis)

“…). The tiger was captured and later diagnosed as having canine distemper, dying some 3 weeks later (Gilbert et al ). Although tigers with distemper are known to lose their fear of humans, there is no evidence that they travel long distances, suggesting that at least some tigers do occur in close proximity to the Razdolnaya River.…”