Endangered Indian grey wolf gives birth to eight pups in Karnataka’s first Wolf Sanctuary

Bankapur Wolf Sanctuary welcomes eight new pups, thriving under enhanced safety measures by Karnataka Forest Department.

A wolf has given birth to eight pups at the Bankapur Wolf Sanctuary in Koppal district recently.

Announcing the birth of the pups, Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Sunday said that due to the enhanced safety measures implemented by the Karnataka Forest Department, the endangered Indian wolves are thriving freely at the Bankapur Wolf Sanctuary.

“The sanctuary hosts the Indian grey wolf species, and one of the wolves recently gave birth to eight pups. Typically, only 50% of the wolf pups survive, but forest officials have taken measures to ensure the safety of all the pups,” Mr. Khandre said.

Mr. Khandre said that the 332-hectare Bankapur Wolf Sanctuary is made up of scrub forests, hills and natural caves.

The sanctuary is home to many wildlife species, including wolves, leopards, peacocks, blackbucks, foxes, hares, and porcupines.

It can be recalled that at the 15th Wildlife Board meeting, this area was declared as Karnataka’s first Wolf Wildlife Sanctuary.

That apart, a decision to designate it as an eco-sensitive zone was taken at the subcommittee meeting chaired by the minister on January 18.