Mumbai: Deadly parasite kills three rescued jackals, two critical

Wildlife experts have raised an alarm over the fact that five jackals rescued in the past six months, were all found to be infected with Trypanosomiasis evansi — a deadly parasite. While three succumbed, two, which were found on Sunday, are in a critical condition.

These medical findings are now being compiled into a detailed report by wildlife veterinarian Dr Rina Dev, who treated all the five, and Pawan Sharma, Wildlife Warden for Thane and President of Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW), the NGO that rescued all the five from different parts of the city. The report will be submitted to the Forest Department as well as the Mangrove Cell for further action.

"We carried out detailed study of the blood profile of all the five jackals and the parasite was found in the blood smear of three. All the five exhibited similar symptoms, including disorientation, dullness, loss of vision, and low haemoglobin levels, reduced platelet count, and enlarged liver," said Dr Dev. She added that these were brought in at the last stage; hence, despite all the efforts and treatment, three succumbed and two are still critical.

Dr Dev explained that this parasite was carried by flies like horsefly; it can get transmitted through various mediums, including open wounds. She informed that this parasite also commonly affects dogs, cats, and even cattle, but they survive because they receive treatment at inception.       

"All the five were found in disoriented stage and were sub-adults (ranging between 1-2 years) and males," she said, adding that there is a need to document the medical records of jackals rescued in future. This would help reveal the reasons behind them getting infested with this parasite.

Sharma said it is a serious issue, which could directly threaten the entire jackal population living in the mangrove swathes of Mumbai. "It was due to detailed diagnosis by Dr Dev that this crucial information was revealed. Many more jackals were found injured, dead or as road kill could have been suffering from the same," he said.

He said it needs to be found if the mangroves, which have become garbage dumps, are infested with horseflies or if the dogs are helping spread the parasite.

RAWW has even submitted a proposal to the Forest Department for carrying out a study on jackals in Mumbai to understand their population as well as their habitats.

KILLER ON RUN

• The parasite was carried by flies; it can get transmitted through various mediums, including open wounds. 
   
• This parasite also commonly affects dogs, cats, and even cattle, but they survive because they receive treatment at inception.