Why a possible Indian Grey Wolf sighting in Delhi after 80 years is important?

For the first time in nearly eight decades, an animal believed to be the Indian grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) may have been seen in Delhi. The sighting happened along the Yamuna floodplains near Palla, on the northern edge of the city, where the river enters Delhi from Haryana.

The sighting was made by Hemant Garg, a 41-year-old wildlife enthusiast and businessman who often explores Delhi’s natural spaces.

“I spotted this dog-like animal around 8 am on Thursday. It had a dark grey coat and walked differently from a street dog. I took a few photos before it ran into the tall grass and disappeared,” Garg told Hindustan Times.

What is Indian Grey Wolf?

The Indian grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) is a subspecies of the grey wolf found mainly in the Indian subcontinent. It is smaller, leaner, and more adapted to hot, dry climates compared to its cousins in colder regions like Europe or North America.

It has a dull grey or brownish coat, long legs, and large ears that help it survive in arid environments. Unlike the thick furred wolves of colder areas, its short coat is suited for the semi-arid and scrubland regions of India. You’ll often find it in open grasslands, dry forests, and thorny scrublands in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

This wolf is a skilled hunter. It usually preys on small animals like rodents, hares, and birds, but may also target livestock, especially in areas close to human settlements. It often hunts in pairs or very small groups, avoiding the large pack behavior seen in other wolf species.

The Indian grey wolf is shy and elusive. It usually stays away from human activity and is mostly active at night or during early morning hours. Its den is often dug in the ground or found in natural rock crevices, where it raises 3–5 pups during the winter breeding season.

What is the whole story?

Photos shared by Garg show an animal with the lean frame and dull grey coat typical of the Indian grey wolf. Experts like Dr YV Jhala, a leading wolf specialist, reviewed the images and agreed that the animal “looks like a grey wolf,” but warned it could be a hybrid due to physical traits such as tail shape and color.

The Indian grey wolf is an endangered species and is rarely seen near urban areas. Experts say it plays a key role in maintaining ecological balance. If the animal in the photos is confirmed to be a wolf, it would be the first recorded sighting in Delhi since the 1940s.

Dr YV Jhala, a senior wildlife biologist and wolf expert, reviewed the photos.

“The animal certainly looks like a grey wolf. But features like its tail and fur color suggest it could be a hybrid—possibly part wolf, part feral dog,” Jhala said. “We need genetic testing to be sure.”

Experts say hybridisation is becoming more common as feral dog populations increase and wolf habitats shrink. Urban expansion and loss of open areas have pushed wildlife into smaller, fragmented zones.

Delhi lost wolves since 1940s

Urban development has reduced wildlife habitats. Yet, some natural corridors still link Delhi with neighbouring regions like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Wolves are known to travel long distances, sometimes hundreds of kilometres, in search of food or mates.

“This is not just about one animal,” said a researcher from the Wildlife Institute of India. “If it’s really a wolf, it means there are still natural corridors connecting Delhi to nearby states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. That’s a big deal for conservation.”

Wildlife conservationist Raghu Chundawat, who has studied wolves across India, reviewed the photos too. “It resembles an Indian grey wolf,” he said. “But without DNA tests, we cannot say anything for sure.”

The Indian grey wolf is endangered, with fewer than 3,000 left in the wild. They usually live in dry forests, scrublands, and grasslands, and are often found near farming villages.

Delhi’s biodiversity reports have long listed the grey wolf as extinct in the region. Forester GN Sinha noted in a 2014 publication that no sightings had occurred since the 1940s. That’s what makes this new sighting so important.

Wolves are known to travel long distances. The Chambal region, just a few hundred kilometers away, reported a wolf sighting in January 2024. Some scientists believe that the animal seen in Delhi could have followed riverbanks, forest patches, and farmland corridors to reach the capital.

Raghu Chundawat, a conservationist who has studied wolves in India, also examined the photos. He said, “It does resemble the Indian grey wolf, but we can’t make a final call without more evidence.”

Currently, fewer than 3,000 Indian grey wolves are left in the wild. They mostly live in dry forests and grasslands and often share space with rural farming communities.

This sighting has raised hope among ecologists but also highlighted the need for caution. If wolves are moving into Delhi’s outskirts, there must be careful tracking, public awareness, and protection of the last remaining open spaces.

“This could be a turning point,” said Jhala. “It’s a rare moment that reminds us nature can still find a way—if we let it.”

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