Context:
In Maharashtra’s Kadbanwadi grassland, the already endangered Indi an grey wolf is now at an added risk from dog attacks.
Indian Grey Wolf:
- Subspecies: Subspecies of the grey wolf, ranging from Southwest Asia to the Indian subcontinent.
- Distribution: Extends from Israel to the Indian subcontinent.
- Habitat: Prefers scrublands, grasslands, and semi-arid agro-ecosystems, thriving in warmer conditions.
- Gestation Period: 62-75 days.
- Species Behaviour:
- Nocturnal Behaviour: Hunts primarily from dusk to dawn.
- Monogamous Nature: Mates with only one partner throughout its lifetime.
- Social Structure: Lives in small packs of 6-8 individuals or even smaller groups.
- Vocalization: Less vocal compared to other wolf species.
- Ecological Role: Regulates prey populations and maintains ecological balance as an apex predator.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN: Listed as Endangered.
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 2022: Listed under Schedule I.
- Threats: Habitat Loss, Depletion of Prey Species, Human Interference etc.
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:
1. The leader of an elephant group is a female.
2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.
3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.
4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 3 is not correct: The average life expectancy of an elephant is 70 years and at the age of 18 years, its adulthood starts
Statement 4 is not correct: South Indian states dominate in having a number of elephants. Among the south Indian states, Karnataka leads the table with 6,049 elephants followed by Kerala.