The Biobrio 11(1 & 2), 2024

Wolves have lost most of its prey base and habitat in Uttar Pradesh

Uma Shanker Singh

ABSTRACT:

Although a several studies have addressed the tiger conservation or the elephant conservation in India but no research has been conducted on Indian wolf in India on its conservation and role of genetics on their capability to adaptation on the changing habitat. Anthropocentric activities have steadily eaten into the natural habitats of Indian wolves and increased the instances of man-animal conflict. Shrinking animal habitats caused by agriculture, mining, quarrying and developmental activities along the fringes, encroachments and break in corridors along which the animals move, all contribute and heighten the conflicts. State governments have not been trying to mitigate the problem because they are not serious about it. With the changing technologies like artificial Intelligence may be of great help. The habitat loss is a major problem and it requires sustained efforts as humans increasingly encroach into wild habitats. The Indian wolf has lost four-fifths (80%) of its natural prey and habitat to human activity. Unlike the tiger, lion, and elephant, the wolf has no government-sponsored schemes to save it. It does find a mention in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, giving it the same level of protection as the tiger on paper. Implementation of this law, however, is as elusive as the wolf, they continue to be persecuted by poisoning and smoking of their dens to kill their helpless pups. There has not been a single case where a person has been prosecuted for killing a wolf, which happens more often than the poaching of tigers.

Keywords:    

Wolf genetics, Ecosystem conservation, woolly wolf, Indian wolf, Wolf population, Genetic diversity, Grassland, Scats

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