Indian grey wolves play a crucial role as apex predators in India’s ecosystems, yet their survival is increasingly at risk due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. Their long-term existence now depends on their ability to coexist with humans.

A new study explores how the wolves in Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary (MWS), Jharkhand, choose their denning sites and how local cultural practices influence their breeding success. “Wolves are highly sensitive to disturbances, especially during the breeding season. Our study highlights how traditional land-use practices unintentionally contribute to their denning security,” says Shahzada Iqbal, research biologist at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and lead author of the study.

Under study

MWS, India’s only designated wolf sanctuary, is located within the Palamau Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand, and is characterised by hills, valleys, and the Burha river. Between 2022 and 2024, researchers analysed a 64-square-kilometre area within MWS to study the den site selection of Indian grey wolves. They used a statistical framework called Generalized Linear Model (GLM) to determine key factors influencing den selection, and the statistical analyses were conducted using R software.

Wolf dens were identified through local knowledge, forest department records, and field surveys. A den was classified as active if direct observations or camera trap footage confirmed pup presence. Additional indicators, such as tracks, scat, and bones, further verified their activity.

Researchers also documented various site characteristics, including den structure, the number of openings and entrance size; topography, including slope and elevation; habitat features, such as tree density, shrub cover, and proximity to water; human disturbances, including livestock presence, woodcutting, and trails; and predator activity, such as the presence of leopards and hyenas.

They identified 18 active dens and compared them with 40 randomly selected locations. Key hypotheses included if wolves prefer dens in rugged terrains to evade predators and human disturbances, and whether Sal tree forests serve as safe zones due to cultural traditions limiting human activity.

Local traditions align with wolf breeding season

The study confirmed that slope, shrub cover, and Sal tree density significantly influence den selection. It found that the average slope of den sites was 23.16°, ranging from 5.57° to 35.98°, while the average elevation was 747.28 metres, spanning 250 m to 1,110 m.

Steep slopes and dense shrub cover provided natural concealment, shielding wolves from predators, and human disturbances. Also, unlike wolves in other parts of India that rely on ground burrows, MWS wolves exclusively used rock caves and crevices. These structures offer superior protection from predators and environmental hazards such as flooding, making them the preferred denning sites.

Proximity to human settlements was another key factor, with 55.6% of dens located 501–1,000 m away. Water availability also played a crucial role – 61% of the dens were within 500 m of a water source, ensuring easy access while minimising the time pups were left unattended. Sal tree density too was a defining characteristic of den sites. All 18 dens were found in Sal-dominated habitats, with an average of 6.94 Sal trees per site, ranging from 4 to 11 trees.

The researchers noted that local tribal communities revere Sal trees, which indirectly benefitted the wolves. “During winter, when wolves are denning, locals avoid entering the forest and even keep their livestock away (believing it is a time of rest for the trees and the land), minimising human disturbance during the wolves’ most sensitive period. This tradition aligns perfectly with the wolf breeding season in the winter, creating an unintended but powerful conservation benefit. When Sal trees bloom in late March and they re-enter the forest, the wolf pups are past their most vulnerable stage,” says Iqbal.

Road ahead

The population of large carnivores is declining globally due to habitat destruction and human-wildlife conflict, and Indian grey wolves are no exception. The researchers state that beyond direct conflicts with humans, habitat fragmentation caused by land-use changes, infrastructure development, and agricultural expansion are isolating wolf populations.

While the grey wolf is protected in India under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, Iqbal says that wolves receive lesser conservation attention compared to species like tigers and elephants. It makes them more vulnerable to threats such as genetic bottlenecks and declining prey availability. “Climate change exacerbates these issues by altering prey distribution and habitat conditions, potentially pushing wolves into conflict-prone areas,” he adds.

Identifying suitable den sites is crucial therefore for pup survival and overall population stability. Within MWS, in particular, conservation efforts also need to focus on preserving Sal tree forests to maintain safe breeding zones, limiting human encroachment near denning sites, and protecting natural water sources to sustain wolf populations.

“The Indian grey wolves have shown resilience by adapting to human-dominated landscapes. However, their long-term survival depends on strategic conservation interventions. Establishing habitat corridors is crucial for genetic exchange and movement between fragmented populations. Community-based conservation programmes can also help mitigate human-wildlife conflict through better livestock management and compensation schemes,” says Iqbal.

Read more: Bauxite mining threatens India’s lone wolf sanctuary and an interstate river

Banner image: An Indian grey wolf. Identifying suitable den sites is crucial for pup survival and overall population stability. Representative image by Shiv’s fotografia via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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Priyanka Shankar Editor

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ForestsMammalsProtected AreasJharkhand

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