In January 2025, two wolves died from the canine distemper virus (CDV), a deadly disease spread by infected dogs, posing a serious health risk to the wolf population.
Dogs can also cross-breed with wolves, leading to genetic dilution, disruption of pack structure, and the emergence of unpredictable hybrids.
Locals sights, now wolf attacks are rare, and it is feral dogs that frequently attack livestock and even threaten people, causing fear among local shepherds and affecting their daily activities.
Though forest laws permit the removal or even killing of trespassing dogs, officials hesitate to act due to expected backlash from animal rights groups.
Vaccination efforts are considered but difficult to implement.
Experts warn that the uncontrolled dog population is harmful to both wildlife and human communities, citing data on over 18,000 annual rabies deaths and 22 lakh dog bite cases in India.
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