Environment and ecology
Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes)
- The Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes), which has the oldest living lineage of the world’s wolves, is likely to be classified as a new species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- Habitat: It is a denizen of scrubland and grasslands and inhabits semi-arid areas.
Conservation Status - Likely to be classified as a distinct species by IUCN.
- Currently listed as “vulnerable”.
- Included in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, offering legal protection.
- Conservation Model: Experts suggest the wolf, along with bustards and other species of open natural ecosystems serves as a “best model for co-existence” and does not require strict protected areas; this co-existence needs to be incentivized.
