Bengaluru: The recent surge in rabies cases across Karnataka has taken a new twist, with wildlife populations in close proximity to Bengaluru testing positive for the disease. In a sign of a serious zoonotic threat, a sloth bear rescued by villagers and forest staff near Channapatna in Bengaluru South district last week tested positive for rabies, revealing that what was common among stray dogs has even entered the wildlife population. Even as forest officials cautioned injured villagers and staffers to undergo anti-rabies vaccination, veterinarians and conservation scientists termed the incident a “potential threat” requiring immediate intervention.Sources in Bengaluru Forest Circle confirmed that the bear, rescued last Saturday, died at the rehabilitation facility in Bannerghatta the following day. “The bear exhibited restlessness and rabid behaviour in captivity and was found dead the very next day. A subsequent autopsy revealed rabies infection,” a forest official explained. Kumar Pushkar, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), said, “The bear was frequently visiting human habitations and may have been bitten by stray dogs. Hence, all three injured persons have been vaccinated against rabies. Containing rabies outbreaks in the wild will be a challenging task, as it is impossible to isolate wild populations. However, we will address the situation on a case-by-case basis by consulting veterinarians and experts.“In the meantime, veterinarians and retired forest officials said the incidence of rabies in sloth bears is very rare. “Although there have been stray cases reported from central and north India, this is the first time I’m hearing of rabies in sloth bears in Karnataka. If the virus has entered the wild population, it is indeed an alarming situation and calls for major field action in collaboration with the animal husbandry department,” said Braj Kishore Singh, former chief wildlife warden of Karnataka.Dr Sumanth M Bedre, a veterinary surgeon, said, “Dogbites account for 99% of rabies infections, and this incident, though a very rare one, indicates possible frequent interactions between stray dogs and wildlife, which is very dangerous. Such exposure among wild populations could not only cause aggressive behaviour but also trigger a chain of conflict situations along forest fringes. Although an infected animal may die within 7-10 days, it could still transmit the infection to other animals. Forest officials must immediately undertake ring vaccination of stray dogs in the community and ensure complete sterilisation.”Sanjay Gubbi, a conservation scientist from Holematthi Nature Foundation, said, “In almost all conflict areas, the risk of disease transmission from pets and livestock to wildlife is increasing. Feral dogs are known to hunt and kill a wide range of wildlife. As a result, some carnivores tend to avoid areas heavily used by domestic dogs, leading to spatial displacement and altered habitat use… In addition, feral dogs interbreed with wild relatives, including jackals and wolves, resulting in genetic introgression and loss of genetic integrity. The forest department must put standard operating procedures in place to manage feral dogs in and around protected and forest areas.”
