Indian Grey wolf

Indian Grey Wolf Latest News

Indian grey wolves, apex predators and ecological regulators of grasslands, are facing rapid population decline due to rising threats from feral (free-ranging) dogs.

About Indian Grey Wolf

• The Indian Grey Wolf is a subspecies of the Grey Wolf found in the Indian subcontinent and Southwest Asia.
• Habitat: Prefers scrublands, semi-arid grasslands, and pastoral agro-ecosystems.
• Behavior: Generally nocturnal, hunts in small packs, and is less vocal than other wolf subspecies.
• Appearance: Intermediate in size between the Tibetan and Arabian wolves, but lacks a thick winter coat due to adaptation to warmer climates.
• Distribution: From Israel in the west to the Indian subcontinent in the east.

Legal Protection and Forest Rules

• The Indian grey wolf is protected under:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern, but considered locally endangered in India due to sharp population decline.
  • CITES: Appendix I, indicating species threatened with extinction.
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed in Schedule I, providing the highest degree of protection in India.
• Maharashtra Forest Rules, 2014 allow the removal or elimination of trespassing animals (dogs) from reserve forests if they threaten wildlife.
• However, Forest officials hesitate to cull dogs due to animal rights concerns, considering vaccination as an alternative, though logistically difficult.
• The case highlights the complex human-animal-domestic dog interface, a rising concern in India’s open and agro-ecosystem habitats.
• It is a key example of emerging zoonotic threats (e.g., canine distemper virus) and genetic dilution through hybridisation.

Kadbanwadi Grassland, Maharashtra

• Located in Indapur tehsil, Pune, the Kadbanwadi grassland spans over 2,000 hectares and supports species such as the Bengal fox, striped hyena, Brahminy kite, and Indian grey wolf.
• The shepherd community has traditionally shared a symbiotic relationship with wolves for generations.

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Indian Grey Wolf FAQs

Q1: What is the Indian Grey Wolf and where is it found?
Ans: The Indian Grey Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) is a subspecies of the grey wolf found in semi-arid and open grassland regions of India, mainly in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Maharashtra.

Q2: What is the conservation status of the Indian Grey Wolf?
Ans: It is listed as ‘Schedule I’ under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and is classified as ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN, though its Indian population is declining.

Source: TH