Alipurduar: As part of preparations for the proposed reintroduction of tigers in the Buxa Tiger Reserve, the forest dept, along with an NGO, has launched a dog vaccination programme aimed at reducing the risk of infectious diseases spreading from free-ranging dogs to wild animals.A 12-member team of the Society for Protecting Ophiofauna and Animal Rights (SPOAR) conducted the vaccination and deworming drive over the weekend in villages adjoining forest areas, including Jayanti, 28 Mile, 29 Mile and Santalabari. A total of 247 free-ranging dogs were covered during the drive, receiving deworming treatment and anti-rabies vaccination (ARV).On Sunday, another 197 dogs were administered DHPPiL vaccines as part of the programme. The campaign will continue on Monday, with more free-ranging dogs expected to be covered.According to SPOAR, one of the key objectives of the initiative is to minimise the risk of infectious diseases being transmitted to wildlife by unvaccinated or free-ranging dogs living in and around the forest landscape. Such disease transmission can pose a potential threat to wild carnivores and other wildlife, making disease prevention an important component of wildlife health management.The organisation said the programme is intended to contribute to safeguarding wildlife health and strengthening broader conservation efforts in the Buxa landscape, particularly in view of preparations for the proposed tiger reintroduction.The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Buxa Tiger Reserve and the West Bengal forest dept. Mission Rabies and Worldwide Veterinary Services (WVS) are also providing technical and operational support to the vaccination campaign.The ongoing effort is expected to improve vaccination coverage among free-ranging dogs in forest-fringe communities and contribute to reducing potential disease risks at the wildlife–domestic animal interface.
