Anthrax Incidence and its Control by Vaccinating Greater One Horned Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) against Anthrax in Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal, India

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary (JWLS) harbours 34 rhinos. In India several incidences were noticed where death occurred in elephant and rhino due to anthrax attack. The first incidence of anthrax attack in wild elephant was reported in January and early February, 1994. Symptoms of carcass and blood testing report confirmed it was anthrax. To save the captive elephants in JWLS total 29 elephants (20 adult and 9 calves) were vaccinated with anthrax spore vaccine cutaneously by injection. As anthrax is a cattle borne disease so approximately 17,000 cattle of nearby villages were also similarly vaccinated. To save the most endangered species Rhinoceros unicornis in JWLS vaccination programme was carried out in which a total 24 of wild rhinos (out of 34) were vaccinated- the first record of Wild rhino vaccination with anthrax spore vaccine in West Bengal. Later on no death of rhino due to anthrax attack was noticed. Full details of the procedure are given in this paper. Out of total 24 rhinos 9 males and 11 females were in productive age groups (15 - 45 yrs) which indicates the possibility to increase the number in future if adequate protection measures are ensured.