Recent news reports have confirmed that a tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York contracted COVID-19, leading to widespread concern about the virus’s potential to infect animals in National Parks, Sanctuaries, and Tiger Reserves. Further complicating matters is the recent death of a tiger in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, from a respiratory illness. While it wasn’t confirmed whether the tiger had contracted COVID-19, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is currently investigating this possibility.
How COVID-19 Spreads from Humans to Animals
The Bronx Zoo case suggests that a zoo employee spread the virus to the tiger. The reality is that COVID-19 came from an animal source, mutated, and has since been spreading among humans. There is also a theoretical possibility that the virus could mutate again after being transmitted by humans, allowing it to survive in certain species.
Measures Taken by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
In response to these recent events, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued an advisory asking all Chief Wildlife Wardens (CWLWs) in all States/UTs to take immediate preventative measures. These are designed to stop the transmission and spread of the virus both from humans to animals and vice versa, particularly in National Parks, Sanctuaries, and Tiger Reserves.
Precautions Issued by NTCA and CZA
Both the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) and the NTCA have pumped out guidelines requiring zoos to be on the “highest alert.” They’ve advised monitoring of animals 24/7 via closed-circuit cameras for any abnormal behavior or symptoms. If sick animals are detected, the CZA advises zookeepers to approach them wearing personal protective equipment and then isolate and quarantine them.
Key Organizations at the Forefront
The CZA, established in 1992, is a statutory body whose main objective is to enforce minimum standards for the upkeep and healthcare of animals in Indian zoos. The NTCA, on the other hand, is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. It was founded in December 2005 following the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force.
About Pench Tiger Reserve
Pench Tiger Reserve, located in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, is one of the major protected areas of Satpura-Maikal ranges of the Central Highlands. Included in the Project Tiger in 1992-93, it is among the sites notified as Important Bird Areas of India. Notably, the forests found in Pench Tiger Reserve are divided into three parts: southern tropical wet dry forest, southern tropical dry deciduous teak forest, and southern tropical dry deciduous mixed forest.
The Wildlife Found in Pench Tiger Reserve
Pench Tiger Reserve features an abundance of wildlife, such as tigers, leopards, wild cats, wild dogs, hyenas, jackals, foxes, wolves, and weasels. Vegetarian species like Gaur, Nilgai, Sambar, Chital, Chasinga, Chinkara, and Wild Pig are also prominent. Cold seasons witness the migration of birds like the Ruddy shelduck, Pintail, Whistling Teal, and Vegtel.
