Distribution, Status, and Conservation of the Indian Peninsular Wolf

Abstract

An understanding of the distribution range and status of a species is paramount for its conservation. We used photo captures from 26,838 camera traps deployed over 121,337 km2 along with data from radio-telemetry, published, and authenticated wolf sightings to infer wolf locations. A total of 3,324 presence locations were obtained and after accounting for spatial redundancy 574 locations were used for modeling in maximum entropy framework (MaxEnt) with ecologically relevant covariates to infer potentially occupied habitats. Relationships of wolf occurrence with eco-geographical variables were interpreted based on response curves. Wolves avoided dense wet forests, human disturbances beyond a threshold, arid deserts, and areas with high top-carnivore density, but occurred in semi-arid scrub, grassland, open forests systems with moderate winter temperatures. The potential habitat that can support wolf occupancy was 364,425 km2 with the largest wolf habitat available in western India (Saurashtra-Kachchh-Thar landscape 102,837 km2). Wolf habitats across all landscapes were connected with no barriers to dispersal. Breeding packs likely occurred in ≈89,000 km2. Using an average territory size of 188 (SE 23) km2, India could potentially hold 423–540 wolf packs. With an average adult pack size of 3 (SE 0.24), and a wolf density < 1 per 100 km2 in occupied but non-breeding habitats, a wolf population of 3,170 (SE range 2,568–3,847) adults was estimated. The states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra were major strongholds for the species. Within forested landscapes, wolves tended to avoid top-carnivores but were more sympatric with leopards and dhole compared to tigers and lions. This ancient wolf lineage is threatened by habitat loss to development, hybridization with dogs, fast-traffic roads, diseases, and severe persecution by pastoralists. Their status is as precarious as that of the tiger, yet focused conservation efforts are lacking. Breeding habitat patches within each landscape identified in this study should be made safe from human persecution and free of feral dogs so as to permit packs to breed and successfully recruit individuals to ensure wolf persistence in the larger landscape for the long term.

A worldwide perspective on large carnivore attacks on humans

“…In high-income regions, such as most North American states, human activities and large carnivores are frequently spatially separated, and most people involved in conflicts are those (a) visiting natural areas for recreational purposes [ 7 , 9 , 36 , 49 ]; or (b) living in urban and nearby landscapes, where potentially dangerous species may approach houses or inner-city parks, e.g., because they are involuntary attracted by anthropogenic food, or voluntarily fed [ 9 , 50 ]. In contrast, in lower-income countries, a greater portion of the human population live and work in rural areas where human and large carnivore habitat and activities overlap [ 18 , 40 , 51 ] (see also S1 File and S1 Table for more details on attack circumstances per species and region).…”

There is no place like home: Den and rendezvous site selection of Indian wolves in the human-dominated landscape of Maharashtra

“…The increase in human population, habitat degradation, changing land use patterns, and low wild prey abundance have decreased the former range of wolves and even caused its local extinction (Jhala, 2003). In addition, the expansion of agricultural activities into marginal areas, including open plains, resulted in habitat loss and reduced their geographic range drastically (Mech, 1970).…”

Nurturing orphaned Indian Grey Wolf at Machia Biological Park, Jodhpur, India

“…Estimates of earlier wolf populations, wolf ecology, and their habitat assessment were primarily based on surveys and local-level information from pastoralists (Jhala & Giles 1991;Kumar & Rahmani 1997). A recent study using camera traps and a review of literature have suggested the presence of 3,170 Grey Wolves across the Indian subcontinent (Jhala et al 2022). The number of Indian Peninsular Wolves in the wild is equivalent to that of the royal Bengal Tigers Panthera tigris making it an Endangered species (Azad 2022).…”