Watch | Why are wolves endangered in India?

for years, Asiatic cheetahs and wolves would roam the Indian plains.

But the cheetahs are now gone and so are the huge herds of antelope they fed.

With only 3,100 wolves left in India, they could be the next to disappear.

The Indian Gray Wolves are one of the oldest wolf lines in the world. They are smaller and slimmer compared to their European and American counterparts. The Indian wolf is highly adapted to the hot, arid plains of the subcontinent.

In India, wolves fall into the same category of danger as tigers.

Habitat loss is a primary threat to the survival of this species. The native habitat of wolves is arid wasteland that is now actively prioritized for development activities.

But on the other hand, there is also no wildlife sanctuary dedicated to the conservation of Indian wolves. A recent study shows that less than 5% of the country’s open natural ecosystems are protected. Wolves are threatened by another unlikely source: dogs. Wolves and dogs have an uneasy love-hate relationship.

If a wolf cannot find a mate, it can mate with a dog, resulting in wolf-dog hybrids. This genetic dilution of wild genes could ultimately lead to an evolutionary disadvantage for the wolf. It can be deprived of its ability to hunt prey. In turn, dogs can also transmit deadly diseases to wolves.

The survival of the Indian wolf depends on nomadic herding communities. Experts say wolves can be saved by protecting their natural habitat and recognizing the connection between humans and these animals.