Seven leopard cubs at the Bannerghatta National Park die of Feline panleukopenia

Seven leopard cubs at the Bannerghatta National Park have died between August 22 and September 5, owing to the outbreak of Feline panleukopenia, a viral disease that is usually spread through cats.

While the park houses close to 25 cubs, 15 of them were infected and seven succumbed to the virus. One lion cub was also infected and is now recovering, said A V Surya Sen, Executive Director, Bannerghatta National Park. “The first incident was reported on August 22 in the safari areas and subsequently a few other cases came to light. Of the seven cubs, four were in the safari area and three were housed in the rescue centre,” Sen told DH. 

The cubs that succumbed to the virus were aged between three months and one year. Surprisingly, all the cubs were vaccinated. “In rare cases, there is a vaccination failure. It is also possible that the virus might have mutated, making the vaccine ineffective,” Sen added.

This is the first time a Feline panleukopenia outbreak has occurred at Bannerghatta National Park. While the exact cause is unknown, the authorities suspect that it might have spread from animal keepers who have pet cats. “There are many possibilities. It might have spread from the animal keepers. There are many cats in the vicinity. Hence, they could have also transferred the virus. Also, many of these cubs were rescued from the wild and we are not sure what diseases they carry. Hence, it is difficult to point out one cause,” Sen said.

Following the outbreak, the authorities have sanitised the entire area and have put in place precautionary measures. “It is similar to Covid, distancing measures are the key. We have successfully broken the chain and the situation is now under control. We have sanitised the area and asked the doctors and animal keepers to take precautionary measures,” Sen said.