The most ancient Indian wolf is set to be a new species, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• The Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes), with a population of around 3,000 in India and Pakistan, may soon be classified as a new species by the IUCN.
• The Indian wolf has the oldest living lineage among the world's wolves and is currently listed as "vulnerable".
• Threats to the Indian wolf include poisoning, depletion of natural prey, and habitat destruction from highways and renewable energy projects.
• There have been instances of wolf-human conflict, including recent attacks in Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh.

Detailed Insights:

• The Indian wolf, found in scrubland and grasslands, was previously considered a subspecies of the grey wolf.
• Listing as "vulnerable" aims to bring attention and incentives for the protection and conservation of the wolf's shrinking habitat.
• Despite not being known to attack humans, there have been conflict incidents, leading to the killing of wolves.
• Experts advocate for a national policy and management plan to acknowledge the IUCN assessment and protect the unique Indian wolf.
• The Indian wolf is under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, and experts suggest incentivizing co-existence rather than strict protected areas.

Key Concepts Involved:

• IUCN: A global authority on the status of the natural world and measures needed to safeguard it.
• Vulnerable Species: A species facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
• Wildlife Protection Act: An act to provide for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants.