Rare Indian grey wolf killed by shepherds in Bahawalpur

Express Tribune

23-04-2025

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A rare Indian grey wolf has been killed by shepherds near Bahawalpur, raising alarm among conservationists about the safety of endangered species in Pakistan's rural regions.
Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Syed Ali Usman confirmed that local shepherds tracked and killed the animal in a rural area. The carcass has been recovered and sent for post-mortem.
Authorities are investigating the incident under the Punjab Protected Areas Act 2020 (Amended 2025) and have pledged to file a case once the suspects are identified.
The Indian grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) is an endangered subspecies native to dry and semi-arid regions of South Asia. Slightly smaller and more elusive than its European relatives, the animal rarely enters human settlements unless its habitat is disturbed or food sources run dry.
Experts say local herders often see wolves as threats to livestock, which leads to conflicts and retaliatory killings.
'This isn't just the loss of one animal—it's the loss of ecological balance,' said Badr Munir, conservationist and member of the Punjab Wildlife Management Board. He emphasised the wolf's key role as a top predator.
He added that habitat loss and shrinking food sources often drive such predators toward villages.
Conservation groups have condemned the killing and are calling for stronger protection laws and public education campaigns to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
They urge government bodies to engage with rural communities and promote coexistence strategies before more wildlife is lost.