Asiatic Lion - Data, Pictures & Videos

[Rishi]

(10-05-2018, 11:35 PM)Matias Wrote: At the moment the concern I have most is this:

Understanding the exact size of the CDV and other protozoa found in the population, which may be at the heart of the issue. The answer is where no one is looking, at the infectologists and other professionals who are studying this parasitic situation. Is it necessary to know the temporal historicity of these viruses in Gir lions? Know when this monitoring exists? What viruses are endemic to this population? What is the death rate from these pathogens? If there have been previous outbreaks and how many have been verified? ... The viral prevalence of certain agents is natural to many populations, and this naturalness is a decisive factor in the immunity rate, and consequently in the quantitative prevalence of larger numbers of individuals surviving these outbreaks. In general, the further away the space between a viral outbreak and another, the higher the mortal rate. Many lions that were born between this time interval are not immunized, have never had contact with these pathogens. CDV has a multitude of "Cepas" and its toxicity is greater or less than according to their potentiality. What is the viral type of CDV that is appearing in Gir? What is the effect of its toxicity on these lions?

It is always very difficult to determine the cause of death of a lion. Normally your deteriorated health is justified as being due to internal conflicts or injuries resulting from the struggle between predator and prey. In the case of CDV the seizure is its identifier, so knowing the actual amount of death from these diseases is very difficult to account for. Many use the Serengeti issue as an example, in order to impact everyone when they establish that 1000 lions have died as a result. As far as I understood, through previous readings, 1000 lions were contaminated.

It is important to understand that the death of these lions as a result of the CDV virus is something to be measured and understood in the more general context. The impact of many of these viruses occurs on the fertility / fecundity rate, as well as on the survival rate of pups. This alarmist tone can cause prophylactic measures to be taken ahead of schedule. The concrete picture will be known when the results come out. The politicization of the subject has taken hold. Now, more than before, the population to be translocated to Kuno should be "totally free from certain types of viruses or not" Should also note which viruses are endemic to the Ranthambore tiger population - it can not be ignored that tigers and lions will sooner or later compete for territories. What many today are seeing as a window for the exit of lions to Kuno, others may see the issue of CDV and other parasites as a obstacle, plus an blocker.

The 26-member strong pride of the endangered Asiatic lions in Gujarat has almost been wiped out with 23 lions dying in the last 20 days. 5 lions succumbed to the deadly infection of canine distemper virus (mutated) and 17 of tick-borne babesiosis. However, no deaths have taken place after 1st October & no signs of the virus been observed in other prides outside the Dalkhaniya Range.

The 36 animals quarantined at 3 rescue centers (at Jambvala, Jasadha and Babarkot) have pulled through & there's haven't been detoriation in their health condition. The operation is being overlooked by 9 senior doctors, all big cat specialists, shuffling from one centre to another.

Gujarat High Court has observed that feeding poultry & baits to the lion could be one of the reasons behind transfer of virus to the big cats. Bail applications filed by men accused of running illegal lion show inside Gir sanctuary & guy who was shown feeding poultry to lions inside Gir sanctuary in that video earlier, were all rejected.  

Infographics by Times of India., with all details & developments.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Meanwhile 300 shots of the vaccine ‘Polyvalent’— dispatched from the United States two days ago — reached Junagarh yesterday afternoon. How this vaccine will be put to use and when has still not been made official. In all probability they haven't yet figured out a way to vaccinate more than 600 wild lions spread all over Greater Gir.

I'm thinking of sending a mail (or even better, a petition) to the Gujarat FD about my "tranquilizer dart filled with vaccines" idea from post #547.

Best thing we can do this wildlife week... Opinions? Reply