Context:
The Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco), a prominent lupine predator found across the Himalayas has been assessed for the first time in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List.
Relevance:
GS III: Environment and Ecology
Dimensions of the Article:
- Key Facts About the Himalayan Wolf
- About the IUCN Red List
- Factors Contributing to the Decline of Himalayan Wolf Population
- Measures to Protect Himalayan Wolves
Key Facts About the Himalayan Wolf:
Habitat and Distribution:
- Inhabits the high elevations of the Himalayas in China, Nepal, India, and Bhutan.
- Typically found in alpine meadows and grasslands at elevations ranging from 10,000 to 18,000 feet.
Genetic Characteristics:
- Distinctive genetic markers; mitochondrial DNA suggests a genetic foundation predating the Holarctic grey wolf.
Behavior and Diet:
- Travels in small packs.
- Hunts wild sheep and goats, and occasionally preys on marmots, hares, and birds.
Population Status:
- Estimated population of 2,275-3,792 mature individuals.
- Mainly concentrated in a subpopulation across the Himalayan range of Nepal, India, and the Tibetan Plateau.
- Indian section hosts 227-378 mature individuals, primarily in Ladakh and Spiti Valley.
Conservation Status:
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
- Protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, under Schedule I.
About the IUCN Red List:
Purpose and Significance:
- Global resource for assessing the risk of extinction among animals, fungi, and plant species.
- Crucial indicator of global biodiversity health, offering insights into species’ characteristics, threats, and conservation measures.
Red List Categories:
- Defines the extinction risk with categories ranging from NE (Not Evaluated) to EX (Extinct).
- Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), and Vulnerable (VU) indicate species threatened with extinction.
Role in Conservation and Development Goals:
- Key indicator for Sustainable Development Goals and Aichi Targets.
IUCN Green Status of Species:
- Assesses the recovery of species’ populations and measures conservation success.
- Eight Green Status Categories, including Extinct in the Wild, Critically Depleted, Fully Recovered, etc.
Conservation Impact Assessment:
- Green Status assessment examines how conservation actions have influenced the current Red List status.
Factors Contributing to the Decline of Himalayan Wolf Population:
Habitat Degradation:
- Ongoing reduction in the area, extent, and quality of habitat.
Depredation Conflict:
- Seasonal or permanent high livestock abundance in wolf habitats triggers conflicts.
- Negative attitudes towards wolf conservation and retaliatory killing arise due to these conflicts.
Interbreeding with Domestic Dogs:
- Increasing problem in Ladakh and Spiti due to interbreeding.
- More feral dogs in these areas contribute to hybridization.
- Competition for resources, such as territory and prey, intensifies between wolves and wolf-dog hybrids.
Illegal Hunting:
- Wolves are hunted for trade in fur and body parts, including paws, tongues, heads, and other body parts.
- Hunting is not legal in all range states but remains a threat.
Measures to Protect Himalayan Wolves:
Habitat Conservation:
- Secure and restore healthy wild prey populations and landscapes.
- Establish wildlife habitat refuges.
Livestock Protection:
- Improve livestock guarding methods, including predator-proof corral pens.
- Implement sustainable livestock herding practices, such as reduced livestock loads and adapted herding.
Management of Feral Dogs:
- Manage populations of feral dogs to preserve ecological balance in wolf habitats.
Transboundary Cooperation:
- Emphasize the interconnectedness of wolf populations across borders.
- Implement coordinated research and monitoring initiatives to ensure unimpeded movement and safeguard natural behaviors.
-Source: Down To Earth
