Madhya Pradesh High Court Demands Report on Tiger Deaths Amid Canine Distemper Concerns

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has mandated a report on the status of all tiger reserves in the state following alarming tiger deaths linked to Canine Distemper Virus. The court is scrutinizing the government's vaccination efforts and demanding effective strategies to prevent further fatalities. A public interest litigation has highlighted the deaths of eight tigers, raising concerns about the potential impact of CDV. Wildlife activists are sounding alarms over the rising number of tiger deaths, emphasizing the need for enhanced veterinary care and monitoring. This situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive wildlife protection measures in Madhya Pradesh, which boasts the highest tiger population in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 10, 2026, 14:29 IST

Court Orders Report on Tiger Sanctuaries

The High Court of Madhya Pradesh has requested a status report on all nine tiger reserves in the state following recent tiger fatalities. The court is particularly interested in the measures taken by the government to prevent the spread of suspected Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) infections among tigers in the Kanha Tiger Reserve (KTR). This directive came during a hearing of a public interest litigation filed concerning the recent deaths of eight tigers in KTR.

During the proceedings, the state government informed the court that approximately 2,000 dogs in the vicinity of KTR have been vaccinated against CDV due to the observed infections. However, the court emphasized the need for a more effective and precise strategy to curb the spread of the virus. The next hearing on this matter has been scheduled for August 17.

The bench instructed the state government to strictly adhere to all directives from the Supreme Court regarding KTR. Additionally, the court demanded a comprehensive response regarding vaccination and infection control measures not only for Kanha but for all tiger reserves in the state. It also called for the prompt filling of vacant wildlife veterinary positions across all nine reserves and the effective implementation of dog population control measures.

Public Interest Litigation Highlights Concerns

The public interest litigation was filed by Mumbai-based lawyer Subrata Chakraborty, represented by advocates Anshuman Singh and Pratik Rusiya. The petition highlights the deaths of eight tigers in April and May, including tigress T-122 (Sunaina), tigress T-141 (Amahi), her four cubs, and young tiger T-220 (Mahaveer). It raises concerns about the potential link between these fatalities and CDV infections, calling for enhanced scientific monitoring, biosecurity measures, and improvements in veterinary care.

Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey reported that 40 tigers have died in the state since January, which is alarming. He noted that last year, 55 tiger deaths were recorded. Notably, according to the 2022 tiger census, Madhya Pradesh is home to 785 tigers, the highest in the country.