Gujarat Wolves Thrive: Wild Hunt & Pups Born!

Gujarat's ambitious wolf rewilding program is yielding significant conservation results. Captive-bred Indian wolves released into the wild are not only hunting natural prey independently, primarily nilgai, but have also successfully reproduced. This marks a crucial step forward from traditional zoo-breeding programs.

Since the program's experimental soft-release began at Nadabet in Kutch in 2024, nearly 15 wolves have been reintroduced. Notably, two breeding pairs have produced pups on two separate occasions. One notable success is the birth of a wild-born male wolf pup, Randeepak, to captive-bred parents Sona and Pradeep, who were themselves released in September 2024.

The Nadabet facility, established to acclimatize zoo-bred wolves, employs prey training and gradual landscape exposure. The program originated from efforts with a wolf named Divyangi at Sakkarbaug Zoo. Looking ahead, Gujarat intends to release over 40 more wolves, aiming to establish around 50 wolves across specific districts by 2031.