Wolf-dogs in Karnataka? In a first, hybrid found in Gadag district

Hubballi: Researchers from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) have documented the presence of wolf-dog hybrids for the first time in the grasslands of Karnataka, a development that made a researcher claim that it could have "unimaginable consequences in the future".

Wolf-dogs are produced when free-ranging dogs breed with the apex predator of grassland, the Indian grey wolf.

While it was long speculated that free-ranging dogs come in contact with wildlife, especially wild canids, the publication of the findings in the August edition of BNHS journal has sent ripples of anxiety among conservationists who fear hybridisation could further threaten the endangered wolf population.

The BNHS team comprising Pankaj Bishnoi, Neelkanth Bora, Karthik N J and Sujit S Narwade recorded the presence of the wolf-dog first on Oct 12, 2023 and sighted it again on Dec 24, 2023, in and around Gajendragad of Gadag district during their field visits.

The journal records the reduction of wildlife habitat as one of the major reasons for frequent interactions between wildlife and domestic animals.

“These interactions can result in gene exchange between species, which may negatively impact the ecological balance, leading to the spread of diseases and behavioural changes that could ultimately affect the health, stability, and survival of wildlife populations,” it stated.

The publication records that: “... the dog appeared to be a hybrid between a wolf and a free-ranging dog. In addition to typical dog features, it displayed a distinct appearance and behaviour compared to the other free-ranging dogs in the pack."

Continuing further, it said: "The suspected wolf-dog hybrid was grey, with a sleeker and leaner body than the other dogs. Its eyes were almond-shaped, shorter relative to its head size, closely set, and slanted at around a 45-degree angle from the eyes to the ears. The eyes appeared pale yellow, unlike the green, blue, brown, or black eyes commonly found in domestic dogs. Unlike most domestic dogs, its chest and feet were positioned directly under the centre of its body, like wolves.”

Speaking to DH over the phone, Narwade, BNHS Deputy Director and one of the authors of the report, called for a further study of the species as they had "not conducted any DNA or scientific tests on it".

"There have been recorded instances of wolf-dog hybrid in India, including the recent reporting near Saswad grassland, Pune. Such hybridisation is usually underreported,” he said. He believes this individual is born to a female dog and a male wolf, as it is with a pack of free-ranging dogs.

Deccan Conservation Foundation founder Indrajit Ghorpade said he has been recording the presence of wolf-dog and jackal-dog (hybridisation of Indian jackal and dog) since 2018-19 in and around Koppal.

According to Narwade, the hybridisation of canids will have “unimaginable consequences in the future".

"The hybrid wolf-dogs could become more aggressive, and change their hunting habits and pack structure. The genetic population of wolves can be affected,” he said.

He said BNHS would soon present the scientific recording of the wolf-dog to the Karnataka Forest Department for further studies.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Subhash Malkhede said he is not aware of the presence of wolf-dogs in Karnataka and would look forward to the BNHS report.