Canine distemper virus as a threat to wild tigers in Russia and across their range

摘要: Canine distemper virus (CDV) has recently been identified in populations of wild tigers Russia and India. Tiger are generally too small to maintain CDV for long periods, but at risk infections arising from more abundant susceptible hosts that constitute a reservoir infection. Because is an additive mortality factor, it could represent significant threat small, isolated tiger populations. In Russia, was associated with the deaths 2004 2010, coincident localized decline Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Zapovednik (from 25 2008 9 2012). Habitat continuity surrounding areas likely played important role promoting ongoing recovery. We recommend steps be taken assess presence impact all range states, should not detract focus away primary threats tigers, which include habitat loss fragmentation, poaching retaliatory killing. Research priorities include: (i) recognition diagnosis clinical cases when they occur; (ii) collection baseline data on health tigers. infection individual need imply conservation threat, modeling complement disease surveillance targeted research potential across ecosystems, population densities climate extremes occupied by Describing domestic carnivores as contributors local precursor considering control measures.