Zoo's success story in captive breeding of Indian wolves

A study offers insight into breeding pattern of endangered animal

Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, popularly known as Mysore zoo, has completed a study on successful captive breeding of Indian Grey Wolf.

The study, completed after over three years of observation of breeding patterns of the animal offers insights towards conservation attempts of the species. The numbers of Indian Grey Wolf is dwindling in the wild owing to loss of natural habitat and other factors.

Indian grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) is the smallest among all grey wolves.  A pair of Indian grey wolf, christened Raja and Rani were brought from Gadag Zoo, on May 5, 2010. The pair adjusted well to the atmosphere at the zoo. Researchers studying captive breeding of Indian Grey Wolf, observed the first mating behaviour during the second week of November 2010.

Zoo authorities who were hoping for a successful conception, provided unrestricted access to holding rooms with artificial den and open enclosure for the wolves.

With a physical change observed in the female within 30 days of gestation, researchers, now had the unique opportunity to observe the female set to give birth to a litter in captivity.

On the morning of January 13, 2011, the female give birth to a litter of five male and two female pups, a success for the zoo in its attempts of captive breeding.

Unique aspects

Several unique aspects of the behaviour of the wolves were observed by the researchers. One of the aspects observed was the structure of the den made by the female wolf.

The shape of the den made by the wolf, ensured enough safety for the new born pups and was fashioned in such a way that no water, in case of rains, entered the part of the den where the pups were kept.

Mating season

The female wolf delivered a second litter in captivity in December 2012. Breeding of the third litter had some anxious moments, as the alpha male, which was responsible for the first two litters refused to breed with the female.

However, two other males from the second litter, showed signs of mating with the female during the last week of the mating season. At the same time, one of the females from the first litter also conceived.

Successful captive breeding of the endangered species of Indian Grey Wolf, helped the zoo to spare four male wolves and one female wolf to other zoos in the country, such as Hyderabad zoo, Bannergatta Biological Park and Pune Zoo.

Research team

In the study, executive director of the Zoo, B P Ravi notes that the success in the three litters can be attributed to the insights of the research team studying the animals.

In an attempt to increase the genetic diversity of the wolves at the zoo, the female from the second litter is now being paired with a wolf named, ‘Ullagaddi’, a rescued wild male.
The study was co-authored by B P Ravi, Executive Director, Dr C Suresh Kumar, Assistant Director, Dr Dhanalakshmi S Former Veterinary Officer, Dr Kshamma and Dr Prashant, Veterinary Officers of Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in the city.