Now Reading: Study reveals when wolves attack livestock in Jharkhand sanctuary
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Study reveals when wolves attack livestock in Jharkhand sanctuary
A study from Jharkhand's Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary, India's first wolf sanctuary, has found that wolf attacks on livestock are most likely at night and early morning, during winter and early summer, and…
A study from Jharkhand's Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary, India's first wolf sanctuary, has found that wolf attacks on livestock are most likely at night and early morning, during winter and early summer, and near forest edges. The research, conducted between 2022 and 2024, surveyed 345 households across 69 villages and found that more than half (57.4%) reported losing livestock to wolves. During the study period, 415 goats were killed, causing an estimated loss of Rs 21 lakh.
Despite recurring losses, many households continued to tolerate wolves, reflecting long-standing coexistence. The study recommends targeted conflict mitigation, including predator-proof enclosures, improved night-time livestock management, and protecting denning habitats. The sanctuary, established in 1976, spans over 63 sq km within Palamau Tiger Reserve and is home to Oraon, Munda, and Birjia tribal communities.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Mahuadanr is a rare protected area that is also a lived-in landscape, making it a test case for coexistence between large carnivores and tribal communities who depend on livestock. The Rs 21 lakh loss, while significant for individual families, is relatively low compared to compensation schemes under the Jharkhand government's wildlife damage relief guidelines, which have often been delayed or underutilised. The study's timing and location data could help the forest department and local panchayats design simple interventions, such as community night corrals near villages rather than forest edges, which are cheaper than fencing the entire sanctuary. Whether the state will fund these measures, and whether communities will adopt them without formal compensation reform, remains the next step.
Source: india.mongabay.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
