(IN): Feral dogs pose threat to wild animals in Sikkim

[Guest guest]

Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala also has been facing such a problem for the

past several years as the illegal slaughter houses operating around the

Reserve fosters numerous packs of feral dogs.These ferals fed exclusively on

animal blod and raw meat abundantly available in the slaughterhouses in

Kumily town have turned to attack the wild life in the reserve- like

sambar,deer,hog deer and even gaurs.The wild dogs which prey upon these

animals have to retreat to the interior causing great threat to the

bio-diversity of the park.

The park authorities approached the district SPCA seeking help. It is found

out that these ferals cannot be captured using conventional methods like

loops or nets.

From Bluecross,Chennai,collapsible trap cages were procured and raw meat

from the illegal slaughter houses was used as a bait.14 ferals were caught

during the first day.They were sterilised,vaccinated-but the problem was

where to release them.Will they change their food habits all of a sudden and

live as ordinary strays? The answer to that problem too was solved when some

of the cardamom and pepper plantation owners came forward to adopt these

dogs as these move in packs and are excellent watch dogs.

We have later received the good news that the ferals have to a certain

extent become docile and have wholly adjusted themselves to the new food

culture.Wonderfully,

the natural predators like the wild dogs too came back to occupy their slots

as widlife population controllers.This was a low profile operation without

much media hype.

So the Idukki SPCa has inked an M.O.U. with the Periyar Tiger Reserve to

implement ABC in a wild Life Park, may be for the first time in the history

of India -in the presence of AWBI Secretary.

 

So please ask theHimalayan Zoo Park Authorities to find alternate ways than

killing the ferals.

 

 

A.G.Babu.

Member,Kerala(Co-opted),AWBI

Sivadam,

Kavumpady,

Muvattupuzha

Kerala-686661

Mob;09447182735

On Tue, Jun 9, 2009 at 9:34 AM, azam24x7 <azam24x7 wrote:

 

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http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Flora--Fauna/Feral-dogs-pose-threat-to-wild-\

animals-in-Sikkim/articleshow/4628279.cms

>

> Feral dogs pose threat to wild animals in Sikkim

>

> 7 Jun 2009, 1908 hrs IST, PTI

> GANGTOK: Dogs which once lived near army and paramilitary camps in

> Sikkim and survived on leftovers have turned feral attacking and

> killing wild

> animals.

>

> A number of wild animals like Red Panda, Musk Deer, Ghorals and even

> migratory birds have been killed and devoured by the dogs in the past

> couple of months, Forest officials said.

>

> In the latest instance, a pack of dogs and jackals entered an

> enclosure at the Himalayan Zoological Park at Bulbuley in East Sikkim

> on May 31 and killed and ate an adult Red Panda.

>

> The Chief Wildlife Warden NT Bhutia said that a report has been sought

> from the zoo authorities.

>

> Describing the reports of attacks by dogs on the wild animals as a

> serious matter, he said that if needed they may have to be culled to

> protect wildlife in forests.

>

> Among measures for strengthening the security of the zoo and wildlife

> sanctuaries from the dogs, Bhutia said additional funds have been give

> to the zoo authorities to strengthen fencing.

>

> The menace of the feral dogs have assumed serious proportions since

> last year with reports from East and North Sikkim forests on the

> killing of wild animals and birds.

>

> The wildlife authorities are also concerned with the growing number of

> the feral dogs due to breeding and their changed eating habits.

>

> Besides animals, people inhabiting forest fringes were also under

> threat from the dogs with some incidents of humans being attacked in

> North Sikkim.

>

> According to wildlife authorities, the dogs have made forests their

> home in recent years after having lived near the army and paramilitary

> units and survived on the leftovers from their camps.

>

> These dogs, once domesticated animals, had slowly turned feral

> attacking small wild animals, they said.

>

> With the dogs emerging as a serious threat, forest officials have

> decided to figure out their numbers in the forests and take preventive

> measures for protection of wild life.

>

> --

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