Tapeworms The Reason Behind Rhino Calf's Death In Bengal? What We Know

Jaldapara National Park is currently in the news after the reports of the deaths of five rhino cubs. According to Local 18 West Bengal, a similar incident happened in February 2020 before the outbreak of the coronavirus. Before the coronavirus spread throughout the country, six rhinos died in Jaldapara National Park. However, the foresters are sure that the cause of the animal deaths this time is not the anthrax disease.

Anthrax is a rare but serious illness caused by a spore-forming bacterium, Bacillus anthracis. The carcasses of the dead rhinos were sent to a lab in Kolkata for forensic examination to find out the cause. In the forensic report, the death’s cause due to Anthrax was not found. It is believed that the death may be caused by an infestation of tapeworms or some other poisonous insect. A medical board has already been constituted to find the cause. As per the forest officials, tapeworms are extremely dangerous to wildlife and wild animals are sure to die from this disease.

JV Bhaskar, Forester of the North Bengal Wildlife Branch, said that wild rhino cubs have low immunity and get infected by tapeworms. As per Bhaskar, these cubs get possibly infected by tapeworms when they are possibly spreading the grass. The forester said that he had taken grass samples and a sample of rhinoceros faeces.

According to Bhaskar, “Everything is under investigation.” Jaldapara National Park is famous for the one-horned rhinoceros. However, if the number of tapeworms increases, there will be no more rhinos left in this park. The forest department is monitoring the rest of the rhinos. A special medical team will also be assembled to inquire into this matter. Tapeworm infection can spread among bison, and elephants and it is also being monitored.

According to reports, the deaths of these rhinos, reportedly 18 from 2022-2023, are attributed to the Anoplocephala tapeworm infections. The tapeworms cause ulcers in the Rhino’s stomach which ultimately paralyse the animals leading to their deaths. Now, a dedicated team of 5 veterinary officers has been established to look into this matter.