Bhubaneswar: In a rare sighting, an endangered Indian dhole (wild dog) was spotted in the tourist area of Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary recently.
According to sources, the sighting was made by tourists on a safari vehicle travelling between Zer Point and Parvatitung, who captured photographs of the animal and shared them with sanctuary officials. The appearance of the wild dog in the area is notable, given the declining population of the species in the wild due to habitat fragmentation.
Officials sources revealed that the recent sighting of an endangered Indian dhole (wild dog) in Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary may not be an isolated incident, as there could be more wild dogs present in the area and its surrounding periphery.
These highly social animals are known to hunt in packs, targeting prey typically sought by tigers and leopards. A wildlife officer, however, attributed the increased presence of wild dogs to effective grassland management, which has drawn herbivores into the sanctuary.
Notably, the Indian dhole is a Scheduled-II species, whose population has been declining due to habitat loss.
While a pair of wild dogs was previously captured on camera traps in Debrigarh last October, this latest sighting marks the first direct spotting of the species in the area.
Debrigarh is home to herbivores like Indian gaur, sambar, deer, wild boar, cheetal and chowsingha.
