Grey wolf or dog? Here's what experts are saying about the rare sighting of a wild animal in a big city like Delhi after 80 years
A lone animal that looked like an Indian
grey wolf
was seen walking along the Yamuna river near Palla, north Delhi, on Thursday morning. If confirmed, this would be the first wolf sighting in Delhi in over 80 years. The animal was seen moving alone along the Yamuna floodplains, close to where the river enters Delhi. The sighting was brief. It disappeared into dense grass before anyone could get closer. According to a 2014 publication by forester GN Sinha, there have been no confirmed wolf records in Delhi since the 1940s.
Grey Wolf or Dog?
Hemant Garg, a resident of Delhi, took photos during his morning walk. The animal had a grey coat and wolf-like appearance. Experts who reviewed the images noted its resemblance to the Indian grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes), but said the animal's tail raised doubts.
Wildlife scientist YV Jhala said, 'The tail's curve and dark tone raise doubts. Without genetic tests, this remains just a possibility.' He added that hybridisation between dogs and wolves is now more frequent due to shrinking habitats and growing stray dog populations.
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Experts point to nearby regions as possible origin
Garg said the animal looked unlike any dog he had seen. 'It had a slow, deliberate walk and dull grey coat,' he said. He saw it around 8 am, took photos carefully, and watched as it disappeared into the vegetation.
Raghu Chundawat, a conservationist, said, 'It resembles an Indian grey wolf from what I see.' He mentioned a similar animal near Delhi airport in the 1990s. 'It's rare but not impossible that it wandered here,' he added.
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Surya Ramachandran, a naturalist, said the animal could have travelled from Chambal along the Yamuna. 'It's quite likely it moved from Chambal via Yamuna,' he said. He also called for more research into how animals use urban corridors.
Past records show Delhi once had rich wildlife
Historian GN Sinha's writings show that wolves, leopards, blackbuck, and hyenas once lived around Delhi's Ridge. But by 1908, blackbuck had become rare, and by 1940, wolves and leopards had vanished.
The Indian grey wolf lives in dry, grassy, or scrub areas and survives near humans by preying on goats, sheep, and small animals. These traits help it adapt, but also expose it to mixing with dogs.
Some experts pointed out at Delhi lies between two key wolf habitats. To the east are Yamuna floodplains; west lies Aravalli belt.
Delhi's forest department has not yet confirmed the species. A senior official said, 'We are not aware yet but will look into it.' The department is examining the photographs and may inspect the location.
For now, the city waits to know whether the animal was a rare Indian grey wolf or a hybrid. Either way, it has sparked new questions about how wildlife is surviving close to the capital.
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