Context:
‘Operation Bhediya’ has been launched in Uttar Pradesh to capture grey wolves.
Grey Wolf:
- A large canine native to Eurasia and North America.
- Habitat – Prefers scrublands, grasslands, and semi-arid pastoral agro-ecosystems.
- Found in regions ranging from the Indian subcontinent to Israel
Grey Wolf Distribution in India:
- India has 2 species of wolves –
- Indian Wolf – In peninsular India including Rajasthan, Gujarat, etc.
- Himalayan wolf or Tibetan wolf – In Upper trans-Himalayan ranges.
- Behavioural characteristics –
- Extremely social living in a pack of 6-8 individuals
- Run at very high speeds
- Monogamous and follow male dominance hierarchy
- Communicate with different vocalizations and scent-marking.
- Conservation Status –
- IUCN – Least Concern (Grey Wolf), Vulnerable (Himalayan Wolf).
- WPA, 1974 – Schedule I
- CITES – Appendix I
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season.
2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.
3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2024 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 3 is not correct: Leopards are territorial and mark their territory with faeces, urine and cheek-rubbing on trees. They can also leave scrape markings on the ground, trees or logs. This communicates to other leopards passing through that the territory they are in is occupied.
