A rare Indian gray wolf has been killed by shepherds near Bahawalpur, which raises alarms among conservationists about the safety of endangered species in Pakistan’s rural areas.
Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Syed Ali Usman confirmed that local shepherds are traced and killed the animal in a rural area. The carcass has been regained and sent to Post-Mortem.
Authorities are investigating the incident under Punjab -Protected Areas ACT 2020 (changed 2025) and have promised to submit a case when the suspects are identified.
The Indian gray wolf (Canis Lupus Pallipes) is a endangered subspecies resident in dry and semi -dry regions of South Asia. A little less and more evasive than its European relatives rarely enters human settlements, unless its habitats are disturbed or food sources run dry.
Experts say local shepherds often see wolves as threats to livestock, leading to conflicts and retaliatory killings.
“This is not only the loss of an animal – it is the loss of ecological balance,” said Badr Munir, preservative and member of Punjab Wildlife Management Board. He emphasized Wolf’s key role as a top predator.
He added that loss of habitats and shrinking food sources often drives such predators against villages.
Conservation groups have condemned the killing and call for stronger protective laws and public education campaigns to reduce the conflict with Human-Wildlife.
They urge government agencies to engage in rural areas and promote coexistence strategies before more wildlife is lost.
