According to the government officials, a combination of canine distemper virus and babesiosis, a disease caused by tick–borne parasites, is responsible for the death of lions in Gir National Park, Gujarat. Canine distemper virus affects an animal’s respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems, as well as the conjunctival membranes of its eyes.According to the government officials, a combination of canine distemper virus and babesiosis, a disease caused by tick–borne parasites, is responsible for the death of lions in Gir National Park, Gujarat. Canine distemper virus affects an animal’s respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems, as well as the conjunctival membranes of its eyes.