Dalma woof after 20 yrs

Jamshedpur, July 18: Elephants? Check. Sloth bears? Check. Wild dogs? Check.

They may have resurfaced after 20 years and now move in a small pack, but they have already made a big noise at Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary.

The veil of doubt regarding the presence of wild dogs was finally lifted today when divisional forest officer (DFO) of Ranchi (wildlife division) A.T. Mishra confirmed their numbers at a meeting with villagers at Makulakocha, putting the figure at a modest six.

"I met villagers, who claimed to have seen the animals at a watering hole and am satisfied with their version," he said. "I showed them pictures of jackals, foxes, wolves and wild dogs, since they all look similar. They unerringly picked the pictures of wild dogs," he added.

Wildlife conservator S.E.H. Kazmi was scheduled to chair the meeting but he could not make it. Dalma range officer Mangal Kacchap, president of eco-development committee Vimal Chandra Mahto and villagers such as Deko, Vipul Mahto and others attended the meeting with the DFO, which lasted for over two hours.

Vimal said he had come across wild dogs at Aamkocha watering hole near Kalajor village. Vipul and three other villagers, also members of the eco development committee Dalapani, spotted the animals near Ledasaal and Khadiatosan watering holes recently. They then informed the forest authorities.

Mishra said wild dogs were part of Dalma's wildlife over two decades ago but due to unknown reasons their population dwindled amd vanished. "It's nice to have them back after so many years. It is a positive sign for the carnivores," he added.

According to the DFO, efforts will now be made to boost the population of herbivores and focus on the development of grasslands and watering holes.

"Unlike some carnivores, wild dogs don't feast on dead animals. They eat fresh kill. So, we have to focus on raising the numbers of herbivores in the sanctuary so that the canines get enough to eat. And we need to ensure adequate fodder for herbivores,too," Mishra said.

He said his department would also scout the sanctuary to locate more wild dogs. "We'll involve the villagers and Dalapani members in this exercise. The focus will be intensive on the three sites where these animals had already been found," he said.