There are various infectious diseases, also called "zoonoses," that affect both wild animals and domesticated animals as well as people. The increasing globalization of society, the increase in the human population, and the resulting changes in the landscape promote human-animal contact and stimulate the emergence of new infectious diseases. For conservationists, the onset and recurrence of disease in wild animal populations is a crucial topic since it may have an impact on the long-term survival of particular species as well as the sustainability of the affected populations. This article will explain to you about Wildlife Diseases which will be helpful in preparing the Environment Syllabus for the UPSC Civil Service exam.

Anthrax

• Bacillus anthracis, a spore-forming bacteria, causes the contagious bacterial disease anthrax in mammals.
• Both humans and a variety of other animals may be impacted.
• Animals may exhibit symptoms of a high temperature just before they pass away.
• Carcasses' anus, mouth, and nose may all have blood on them. This symptom may not always be present, thus it shouldn't be depended upon to rule out anthrax.
• Anthrax could possibly be the cause of sudden animal deaths, even if there is no history of the disease on the site.
• Gaur, chital, wild pig, and barking deer are the susceptible animals to Anthrax.
• It is extremely crucial to test the carcasses of dead sheep and cattle before moving them in order to detect anthrax in order to avoid a widespread anthrax incident.
• If anthrax is confirmed, this lessens the danger of human exposure and the amount of contamination of the affected property.

Rabies

• Rabies is a lethal viral zoonotic neuroinvasive disease that causes brain inflammation.
• The rabies virus, which causes rabies, mainly affects mammals.
• The rabies virus enters the body and proceeds to the brain via the nerves.
• Animals with rabies experience brain damage. As a result, they frequently behave strangely and violently, which raises the possibility that they'll bite someone or another animal and spread the disease.
• The symptoms of rabies in animals might include a range of behaviors, such as hostility, excessive drooling, trouble eating, stumbling, paralysis, and convulsions.
• The susceptible animals to rabies are tigers, lions, bears, Mongoose, and squirrels.
• Vaccination and isolating the infected animals are the most effective methods of prevention.

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

• Hoof-and-mouth disease (HMD), sometimes known as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), is a contagious viral disease caused by a virus known as the FMD virus.
• It affects both domestic and wild bovids that have the potential to be lethal.
• Cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other ruminants with cloven hooves are all affected by the disease.
• Two to six days of high fever are followed by blisters on the feet and inside the mouth that may burst and leave the victim lame.
• It is a transboundary animal disease (TAD) that is thought to affect 77 % of the world's cattle in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and a small portion of South America.

Rinder Pest

• Rinderpest is a serious, highly infectious viral disease that affects ruminant animals, particularly cattle. It is also known as steppe murrain, cattle plague, or contagious bovine typhus.
• A paramyxovirus belonging to the genus Morbillivirus, which also causes viral distemper in dogs and measles in people, is the causative agent behind rinderpest.
• The quick onset and high mortality of rinderpest are its defining traits.
• An infected animal developed a fever and a loss of appetite after an incubation period of three to nine days.
• Within a few more days, these symptoms were joined by salivation, oral ulcers, drainage from the eyes and nose, and an unpleasant, fetid odor.
• Along with cattle, it had a significant negative impact on water buffalo, giraffes, several antelope species, wild pigs, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.
• Rinderpest could be avoided with the help of cell-cultured vaccinations.
• Control of the disease in wild animals and the eradication of sick domestic animals were necessary for its eradication in a specific area or region.
• The most effective means of control was vaccination along with isolation.

Trypanosoma

• Trypanosomiasis is caused by the genus Trypanosoma that affects all domesticated animals and is referred to as tsetse-transmitted trypanosomiasis.
• Trypanosomes from the genus Trypanosoma, including Trypanosoma brucei, are the cause of the disease.
• When trypanosomes infect a vertebrate host, they cause fever, weakness, and lethargy, which result in weight loss and anemia. If left untreated, the sickness can be fatal in some species.
• It is widespread throughout Africa's tropical regions, as well as in considerable portions of Asia and South America.
• Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, camels, and people are all impacted by it.

Toxoplasmosis

• Toxoplasmosis is caused by protozoan Toxoplasma gondii.
• Although Toxoplasma parasites can be found in the meat of almost all warm-blooded animals, domestic cats are the sole host of T. gondii.
• Animals with parasite infections form cysts in their tissues.
• T. gondii can persist in the tissues of the host for the duration of the its lifetime if an animal consumes the meat or other tissues from infected animals.
• Lethargy, loss of appetite, coughing, breathing difficulties, diarrhea, jaundice, blindness, personality changes, eye problems, and other neurologic issues are all symptoms of sickness.

Wildlife Diseases - Prevention

Culling

• Infected animals are occasionally put to death in order to stop the spread of disease to domestic and economically significant animals.
• Animal rights activists argue against culling because they feel that each individual wild animal has intrinsic value and a right to life.

Vaccination Programs

• Some researchers have called attention to the disease-related suffering of wild animals and contend that we should reduce this sort of suffering by implementing vaccination programs.
• Such initiatives are considered advantageous for both species conservation and lowering the risk of disease exposure for domesticated animals and people.
• In many nations, the oral rabies vaccine has been used to successfully stop the spread of rabies among wild animal populations and lessen human exposure.
• By immunizing badgers, possums, and wild boars, Australia, the UK, Spain, and New Zealand have all carried out effective vaccination campaigns to stop bovine tuberculosis.

Conclusion

The nationwide Veterinary Services are crucial in controlling the issues pertaining to wildlife. However, as most wildlife species are free-ranging and have a wide taxonomic range, monitoring wild animal populations presents a number of difficulties. To tackle this issue, National Veterinary Services, which is in charge of disease preventive and control methods, must assess their financial, personnel, and infrastructure needs. Priority should be given to areas where farm animals and wildlife coexist and where there is a high danger of increased disease exchange.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following is a factor contributing to the spread of wildlife diseases?

A) Habitat destruction
B) Pollution
C) Deforestation
D) All of the above

2. What is the primary purpose of wildlife disease monitoring programs?

A) To control wildlife populations
B) To track and prevent the spread of diseases
C) To promote wildlife tourism
D) To increase poaching

3. Which of the following is NOT a common wildlife disease?

A) Tuberculosis in tigers
B) Rabies in wild carnivores
C) Malaria in deer
D) Avian influenza in birds

4. Which of the following can help reduce the risk of wildlife diseases?

A) Habitat conservation
B) Increase in illegal wildlife trade
C) Habitat destruction
D) Unregulated tourism

5. Which organization plays a vital role in monitoring and controlling wildlife diseases in India?

A) Wildlife Protection Society of India
B) National Wildlife Health Surveillance Program
C) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
D) Forest Research Institute

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the impact of wildlife diseases on biodiversity and ecosystems. How can they be prevented?

Answer: Wildlife diseases can have significant negative effects on biodiversity and ecosystems by reducing the population of key species, disrupting food chains, and altering ecological balances. Diseases can cause mass mortality events and weaken species populations, which may lead to ecological imbalances. To prevent wildlife diseases, it is essential to strengthen habitat protection, reduce human-wildlife conflicts, monitor wildlife health, and ensure the effective implementation of wildlife protection laws. Additionally, public awareness and scientific research into wildlife diseases are crucial for early detection and control.

Q2: Analyze the role of climate change in the spread of wildlife diseases. What measures can be taken to mitigate its effects?

Answer: Climate change is significantly influencing the spread of wildlife diseases by altering the distribution of pathogens and vectors, increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, and disrupting habitats. Rising temperatures can lead to the migration of disease-carrying species to new areas, increasing the risk of diseases spreading. To mitigate these effects, climate change mitigation strategies, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving habitat connectivity, and enhancing biodiversity conservation, must be prioritized. Additionally, strengthening disease surveillance and response systems is critical to managing emerging threats.

Q3: Evaluate the role of the government and conservation organizations in addressing wildlife diseases in India. What additional steps are required?

Answer: The government and conservation organizations in India play a crucial role in addressing wildlife diseases through the implementation of monitoring programs, conservation initiatives, and legal frameworks. Programs like the National Wildlife Health Surveillance Program are instrumental in tracking and controlling diseases. However, further efforts are needed to enhance cross-border cooperation, conduct more research on emerging diseases, and improve public education about the importance of wildlife health. Greater investment in wildlife health infrastructure and increased funding for conservation programs are also necessary to combat the growing threat of wildlife diseases.

Previous Year Questions on Wildlife Diseases

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019:

Question: Which of the following measures is most effective in preventing the spread of wildlife diseases?

A) Strict regulations on illegal wildlife trade
B) Deforestation
C) Urbanization near wildlife areas
D) Lack of awareness campaigns

Answer: (A)

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 3):

Question: “Discuss the challenges faced by India in managing wildlife diseases. What strategies should be implemented to enhance wildlife health management in the country?”

Answer: The challenges faced by India in managing wildlife diseases include inadequate monitoring, limited funding, insufficient infrastructure, and human-wildlife conflicts. To enhance wildlife health management, strategies like improving surveillance, strengthening legal frameworks, increasing public awareness, and investing in research and training are essential. Also, fostering cooperation between international agencies and local communities can be pivotal in addressing wildlife health challenges.