Himalayan Wolf
- Context (DTE): IUCN conducted the first-ever assessment of Himalayan Wolf.
- The Himalayan Wolf is a prominent lupine predator found across the Himalayas.
- It is thought to be the ancestor of the domestic dog.
- They are genetically distinct from grey wolves.
Habitat
- They can be found living in Ladakh in the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, and the mountains of Central Asia predominantly above 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in elevation.
- Living at such high altitudes, these wolves have genetically adapted themselves to live in low oxygen (hypoxic) conditions.
- They generally avoid dense forests and deep snow zones.
Physical description
- Himalayan wolves are light tan in color and have grey shades on their body.
- Some wolves of this species have white or black shades around the face or along the chest.
- It is larger than the Indian and common European wolves.
Diet
- This carnivore preys upon larger mammals to rodents, birds or even crabs etc.
Conservation Status
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable | CITES: Appendix I | WPA, 1972: Schedule I
- Threats: Habitat modification, illegal hunting, etc.
