Foraging ecology, economics and conservation of Indian wolves in the Bhal region of Gujarat, Western India

Abstract

We determined the food habits of the endangered Indian wolf Canis lupus pallipes in the Bhal region of Gujarat, western India by analyzing 1246 wolf scats from five packs by estimating prey availability and by monitoring radio-tagged wolves from three packs for 1994 hour. The frequency of occurrence of blackbuck Antelope cervicapra remains in scats was 55.5%, followed by cattle (25.7%), nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus (6.3%); and as others (<5%). The frequency of food items in scats of different wolf packs reflected their relative availability. For cattle the distinction between scavenging and predation was only possible through continuous monitoring. The average feeding interval obtained from monitoring was 3.6± 0.7 (S.E.) days and the average consumption/wolf/day was 1.8± 0.3 (S.E.) Kg. Adult male blackbuck formed most (70%) of the biomass consumed by wolves whereas cattle carcasses and cattle actually killed by wolves contributed 14 and 8%, respectively. Predation on cattle therefore was low and translated in an estimated loss of Rs. 821 (US$ 17) per village per annum. We propose that landscapes such as the Bhal with high wolf densities, high natural prey availability and consequently low human-wolf conflict levels should be prioritized as prime sites for wolf conservation efforts.