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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Leopard spotted in north Delhi next to Yamuna Biodiversity Park
A leopard was spotted in the dense urban landscape of Jagatpur village in north Delhi, in a field adjacent to the Yamuna Biodiversity Park, on Sunday night. The sighting was caught on a camera trap set up by a wildlife enthusiast after locals reported several sightings of a leopard-like creature over the past few months. Delhi's forest and wildlife department said it has now deployed a team in the area to scan for pugmarks and possible signs of the animal. Hemant Garg, 41, who set up the camera trap, said he was in the village last month for birding when locals told him of a possible leopard in the area. 'They were convinced a leopard was here and showed me pugmarks. I was convinced and set up a camera trap on Sunday. On the same night, the leopard was recorded at 10.27pm,' said Garg, who recently recorded the first sighting of the Indian grey wolf in Delhi since the 1940s, in Palla not far from Jagatpur. Leopards are not rare in Delhi or this part of the city. Last year, a five year-old male leopard wandered into Jagatpur village and attacked eight people before stick-wielding villagers beat it and trapped it in a house, from where it was successfully rescued after nearly five hours by the state forest and wildlife department. In 2016, a leopard was sighted several times at the Yamuna Biodiversity Park before it was captured in a cage and translocated. The forest department said a team was deployed to Jagatpur and the surrounding area on Monday to locate the animal. 'While no one from the village contacted us, we got to know that a leopard has been caught on camera. Accordingly, a team has been deployed in the area for surveillance,' said a senior forest department official, adding that sensitisation workshops with villagers in Jagatpur and other parts of leopard-prone areas in Delhi have been ongoing since last year. Mehfooz Ali, 65, a Jagatpur local, said the camera trap was set up 50 metres from his farm. 'I have seen the animal at least four times. I first saw what looked like a leopard in January and since then others have also seen it. We were convinced it was a leopard but we did not have proof,' he said, adding that they want better security in the area. The Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in south Delhi, which counted eight leopards in its last census in 2022, is now believed to have at least 12, according to wildlife officials. In December 2023, a leopard was spotted over multiple days in Sainik Farms, too. 'Since last year, we have been focusing on workshops for sensitisation and on man-animal conflicts,' the forest official added. Faiyaz Khudsar, scientist in-charge of the Delhi Development Authority's Biodiversity Parks programme, said the Yamuna floodplains are known to have both prey and predators. 'Historically, we have seen leopards in both the Aravalli ranges and across the Yamuna floodplains landscape. The Yamuna offers a corridor for the animal to move,' he said.
India Today
21-05-2025
- General
- India Today
Rare Indian Grey wolf sighting reported along Yamuna floodplains in Delhi
A lone Indian grey wolf was recently spotted along the Yamuna floodplains near Palla, where the river enters Delhi, in a rare wildlife sighting in the city's northern week, on Thursday morning, the sighting was made by Hemant Garg, a 41-year-old businessman and wildlife enthusiast who frequently tracks nocturnal wildlife across said he noticed the animal around 7.45 am, walking along the riverbank with a distinct gait and having dark grey fur that didn't match a typical dog' "It had a dull, dark grey coat and walked with a certain grace, unlike a stray dog. When I got closer and started taking photos, it quickly vanished into the tall grasses," said taken by Garg were soon shared with wildlife experts, several of whom noted striking similarities to the Indian grey wolf — a species not officially recorded in Delhi for experts have confirmed that the animal is an Indian grey wolf, though it is considered special since it was spotted in the landscape of Delhi, a rare they noted that unusual events do happen in nature.A wolf expert and wildlife researcher said the animal did look like a wolf but cautioned against jumping to dark colour and tail curvature suggest the possibility of hybridisation with feral dogs. Without genetic testing, one can't be sure, he added that it is possible the wolf may have travelled from Uttar Pradesh or Rajasthan along riverbanks."From the side profile, it certainly appears to be a wolf. A dog typically does not have such a jawline, strong chest, or grey-black, dusky-dull coat. Given its location near the Yamuna, it might have followed the river corridor," he according to a 2014 publication by forester GN Sinha, there has been no confirmed sighting of a wolf in the capital since the Indian grey wolf is native to grasslands, scrublands and dry deciduous forests, and their territory often overlaps with agro-pastoral landscapes, occasionally preying on say that colour variations and fur texture can differ based on age, habitat and dominance within a the sighting remains unverified, it has reignited conversations around urban biodiversity and habitat conservation."This is both thrilling and important. It shows the resilience of wildlife even in heavily urbanised areas like Delhi and reminds us to protect the remaining green corridors," said Abhishek Gulshan, naturalist and founder of NINOX – Owl About also confirmed it was an Indian grey wolf, adding, "New things do happen, and animals do travel."advertisementHowever, a senior forest department official downplayed the sighting, saying, "We have no record of any wolf sighting in recent times."
NDTV
21-05-2025
- General
- NDTV
Rare Indian Grey Wolf Sighting Reported Near Yamuna In Delhi After Decades
New Delhi: A lone Indian grey wolf was recently spotted along the Yamuna floodplains near Palla, where the river enters Delhi, in a rare wildlife sighting in the city's northern fringes. Last week, on Thursday morning, the sighting was made by Hemant Garg, a 41-year-old businessman and wildlife enthusiast who frequently tracks nocturnal wildlife across Delhi-NCR. Mr Garg said he noticed the animal around 7.45 am, walking along the riverbank with a distinct gait and having dark grey fur that didn't match a typical dog's. "It had a dull, dark grey coat and walked with a certain grace, unlike a stray dog. When I got closer and started taking photos, it quickly vanished into the tall grasses," said Mr Garg. Photographs taken by Mr Garg were soon shared with wildlife experts, several of whom noted striking similarities to the Indian grey wolf - a species not officially recorded in Delhi for decades. Many experts have confirmed that the animal is an Indian grey wolf, though it is considered special because it was spotted in the Delhi landscape, a rare occurrence. However, they noted that unusual events do happen in nature. A wolf expert and wildlife researcher said the animal did look like a wolf but cautioned against jumping to conclusions. The dark colour and tail curvature suggest the possibility of hybridisation with feral dogs. Without genetic testing, one can't be sure, he said. He added that it is possible the wolf may have travelled from Uttar Pradesh or Rajasthan along the riverbanks. "From the side profile, it certainly appears to be a wolf. A dog typically does not have such a jawline, strong chest, or grey-black, dusky-dull coat. Given its location near the Yamuna, it might have followed the river corridor," he explained. Meanwhile, according to a 2014 publication by forester G.N. Sinha, there has been no confirmed sighting of a wolf in the capital since the 1940s. The Indian grey wolf is native to grasslands, scrublands and dry deciduous forests, and their territory often overlaps with agro-pastoral landscapes, occasionally preying on livestock. Experts say that colour variations and fur texture can differ based on age, habitat and dominance within a pack. While the sighting remains unverified, it has reignited conversations around urban biodiversity and habitat conservation. "This is both thrilling and important. It shows the resilience of wildlife even in heavily urbanised areas like Delhi and reminds us to protect the remaining green corridors," said Abhishek Gulshan, naturalist and founder of NINOX - Owl About Nature. He also confirmed it was an Indian grey wolf, adding, "New things do happen, and animals do travel." However, a senior forest department official downplayed the sighting, saying, "We have no record of any wolf sighting in recent times."
Time of India
21-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Rare Indian grey wolf's sighting reported along Yamuna floodplain near Palla
In a rare wildlife sighting, an Indian grey wolf was spotted near Palla along the Yamuna floodplain in Delhi. Wildlife enthusiast Hemant Garg photographed the animal, noting its distinct gait and dark grey fur. NEW DELHI: A lone Indian grey wolf was recently spotted along the Yamuna floodplain near Palla, where the river enters Delhi, in a rare wildlife sighting in the city's northern fringes. Last week, on Thursday morning, the sighting was made by Hemant Garg, a 41-year-old businessman and wildlife enthusiast who frequently tracks nocturnal wildlife across Delhi-NCR. Garg said he noticed the animal around 7.45 am, walking along the riverbank with a distinct gait and having dark grey fur that didn't match a typical dog's. "It had a dull, dark grey coat and walked with a certain grace, unlike a stray dog. When I got closer and started taking photos, it quickly vanished into the tall grasses," said Garg. Photographs taken by Garg were soon shared with wildlife experts, several of whom noted striking similarities to the Indian grey wolf - a species not officially recorded in Delhi for decades. Many experts have confirmed that the animal is an Indian grey wolf, though it is considered special since it was spotted in the landscape of Delhi, a rare occurrence. A wolf expert and wildlife researcher said the animal did look like a wolf but cautioned against jumping to also confirmed it was an Indian grey wolf, adding, "New things do happen, and animals do travel." However, a senior forest department official downplayed the sighting, saying, "We have no record of any wolf sighting in recent times."
Time of India
21-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Grey wolf or dog? Here's what experts are saying about the rare sighting of a wild animal in a big city like Delhi after 80 years
A lone animal that looked like an Indian grey wolf was seen walking along the Yamuna river near Palla, north Delhi, on Thursday morning. If confirmed, this would be the first wolf sighting in Delhi in over 80 years. The animal was seen moving alone along the Yamuna floodplains, close to where the river enters Delhi. The sighting was brief. It disappeared into dense grass before anyone could get closer. According to a 2014 publication by forester GN Sinha, there have been no confirmed wolf records in Delhi since the 1940s. Grey Wolf or Dog? Hemant Garg, a resident of Delhi, took photos during his morning walk. The animal had a grey coat and wolf-like appearance. Experts who reviewed the images noted its resemblance to the Indian grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes), but said the animal's tail raised doubts. Wildlife scientist YV Jhala said, 'The tail's curve and dark tone raise doubts. Without genetic tests, this remains just a possibility.' He added that hybridisation between dogs and wolves is now more frequent due to shrinking habitats and growing stray dog populations. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trekking pants for mountain sports and adventure travel Trek Kit India Shop Now Undo Experts point to nearby regions as possible origin Garg said the animal looked unlike any dog he had seen. 'It had a slow, deliberate walk and dull grey coat,' he said. He saw it around 8 am, took photos carefully, and watched as it disappeared into the vegetation. Raghu Chundawat, a conservationist, said, 'It resembles an Indian grey wolf from what I see.' He mentioned a similar animal near Delhi airport in the 1990s. 'It's rare but not impossible that it wandered here,' he added. Live Events Surya Ramachandran, a naturalist, said the animal could have travelled from Chambal along the Yamuna. 'It's quite likely it moved from Chambal via Yamuna,' he said. He also called for more research into how animals use urban corridors. Past records show Delhi once had rich wildlife Historian GN Sinha's writings show that wolves, leopards, blackbuck, and hyenas once lived around Delhi's Ridge. But by 1908, blackbuck had become rare, and by 1940, wolves and leopards had vanished. The Indian grey wolf lives in dry, grassy, or scrub areas and survives near humans by preying on goats, sheep, and small animals. These traits help it adapt, but also expose it to mixing with dogs. Some experts pointed out at Delhi lies between two key wolf habitats. To the east are Yamuna floodplains; west lies Aravalli belt. Delhi's forest department has not yet confirmed the species. A senior official said, 'We are not aware yet but will look into it.' The department is examining the photographs and may inspect the location. For now, the city waits to know whether the animal was a rare Indian grey wolf or a hybrid. Either way, it has sparked new questions about how wildlife is surviving close to the capital.
