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Time of India

4 held poaching monitor lizards with dogs in Amrabad tiger reserve

Hyderabad: Four men using feral dogs to hunt monitor lizards were caught by forest officials in the Achampet division of Amrabad tiger reserve on Friday. The illegal use of feral dogs inside the tiger reserve has become a major cause of concern as they could spread diseases to wildlife, officials said. Ten monitor lizards were seized from the four accused – Katraju Raju (30), Katraju Niranjan (30), Balmoori Linga Swamy (29) and Raya Balaiah (40) – all residents of Padmanapally village in Lingal Mandal. They were caught near the Ramesh Gundala region within the Lingal Range, divisional forest officer (DFO) Rohit Gopidi said. The suspects and the carcasses were brought to the Lingal range office. A case was booked and the offenders were being processed for remand, forest officials said. Risk of Disease Transmission These dogs, often unvaccinated, pose a major biosecurity risk. They can carry and transmit fatal viruses such as canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV), and rabies to wild carnivores. This disease spillover is especially dangerous for tigers, leopards, and dholes, which are highly susceptible to CDV – a virus known to cause neurological damage and high mortality in wild populations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Launch at Godrej Sector 12 | Luxurious 3 & 4 BHK Homes @₹2.91 Cr* Godrej Majesty Book Now Undo Officials warned that beyond direct disease transmission, domestic dogs disrupt ecological balance by competing with wild predators, harassing wildlife, and even preying on smaller animals. The presence of such threats undermines ongoing conservation efforts in one of India's largest tiger reserves. The forest department said that the accused will be prosecuted under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act.