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Support us in conserving wolves in the Indian Subcontinent!
Wolf Conservation Initiative
Started in 2013 as a Facebook page, the Wolf Conservation Initiative is a virtual initiative to conserve wolves (Canis lupus pallipes and Canis lupus chanco) in the Indian subcontinent.
Our Story
In 2013, Amit Kaushik founded the Wolf Conservation Initiative in response to the lack of online resources about wolves in India. What began as a simple Facebook page to gather and share information quickly grew into a trusted platform for wolf-related knowledge. Over time, the initiative expanded into a collaborative effort, bringing together a community focused on supporting wolf conservation across the Indian subcontinent.
Our work focuses on protecting two iconic lineages of the Indian subcontinent: the Indian Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) and the Tibetan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco), which are ancient testaments to evolutionary resilience in the region.
The Indian Wolf is one of the most ancient wolf lineages globally, having diverged from other wolves nearly 200,000 years ago. Often called the Peninsular wolf, it is uniquely adapted to India's warm, semi-arid landscapes. Unlike its northern relatives, it is leaner, smaller, and lacks a thick undercoat to survive the heat of the plains. These carnivores are highly elusive and remarkably less vocal, rarely known to howl in human-dominated landscapes. The IUCN has evaluated the Indian wolf separately for the first time, classifying it as Vulnerable with an estimated population of only 3,000 individuals remaining in the wild.
In contrast, the Tibetan Wolf, also known as the Himalayan Wolf, inhabits the high-altitude trans-Himalayan regions of Ladakh and Spiti. It is genetically distinct, having diverged from the grey wolf lineage approximately 800,000 years ago. This apex predator is physically larger than the Indian wolf and possesses a thick, woolly coat. Most importantly, it carries a unique genetic adaptation that allows it to survive in low-oxygen conditions that would be fatal to other wolves. Like its peninsular cousin, it is currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with a mature population estimated between 2,275 and 3,792 individuals.
The Wolf Conservation Initiative is dedicated to ensuring a future for both lineages. Through WCI, we aim to preserve these ancient and iconic sub-species of wolves and the ecosystems they maintain.
Contact
We're looking for exciting opportunities and collaborations. Let's connect.
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