Wild dogs show strange behaviour, enter village
NAGPUR:
Wild dogs seldom enter human habitats. They neither attack humans or
nor kill cattle. However, a pack of wild dogs recently exhibited unusual
behaviour by occupying some dwellings in Sondhalagondi village lying
between New Nagzira and Nagzira wildlife sanctuaries.
A pack of 12-15 wild dogs moved towards isolated Sondhalagondi on March 12 around 5.30pm and entered some houses. Some carnivores took shelter under the cot of Devaji Pisde and some entered the house of Jaipal Gadwar, police patil, and others.
Initially scared, the villagers gathered and tried to drive away the dogs with the help of bamboo sticks and by shouting and making loud noise. The dogs then ran away towards Jambhlapani forest.
"We are on the edge of both sanctuaries and encounter wild animals quite frequently. This is the first time we saw wild dogs coming so close to the locality. Wild dogs always shy away from humans," said ex-sarpanch Usha Pisde.
Next day the matter was reported to staff of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), an NGO implementing eco-development schemes in villages in Nagzira corridor. WTI staff too admitted it was strange behaviour.
When villagers took the WTI volunteers towards Jambhlapani, they were surprised to see a female wild dog lying dead in a field. The Gondia forest division officials were informed about the matter.
However, casual approach of officials was evident when forest guard Lilhare burnt the carcass without conducting a post-mortem. Wild dogs are listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Gondia assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Ashwin Thakkar said he was unaware of the incident. "I will find out the details and let you know," he added.
One of the farmers claimed to have sighted two pups. The villagers say death of the female could be a cause of such behaviour of other dogs. "Wild dogs exhibit altruistic behaviours that set them apart from most other carnivores. The pack show affection and desire to be close to each other not seen even in other pack animals such as wolves or lions," says Prafulla Bhamburkar,
A pack of 12-15 wild dogs moved towards isolated Sondhalagondi on March 12 around 5.30pm and entered some houses. Some carnivores took shelter under the cot of Devaji Pisde and some entered the house of Jaipal Gadwar, police patil, and others.
Initially scared, the villagers gathered and tried to drive away the dogs with the help of bamboo sticks and by shouting and making loud noise. The dogs then ran away towards Jambhlapani forest.
"We are on the edge of both sanctuaries and encounter wild animals quite frequently. This is the first time we saw wild dogs coming so close to the locality. Wild dogs always shy away from humans," said ex-sarpanch Usha Pisde.
Next day the matter was reported to staff of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), an NGO implementing eco-development schemes in villages in Nagzira corridor. WTI staff too admitted it was strange behaviour.
When villagers took the WTI volunteers towards Jambhlapani, they were surprised to see a female wild dog lying dead in a field. The Gondia forest division officials were informed about the matter.
However, casual approach of officials was evident when forest guard Lilhare burnt the carcass without conducting a post-mortem. Wild dogs are listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Gondia assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Ashwin Thakkar said he was unaware of the incident. "I will find out the details and let you know," he added.
One of the farmers claimed to have sighted two pups. The villagers say death of the female could be a cause of such behaviour of other dogs. "Wild dogs exhibit altruistic behaviours that set them apart from most other carnivores. The pack show affection and desire to be close to each other not seen even in other pack animals such as wolves or lions," says Prafulla Bhamburkar,
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