The Kanha Tiger Reserve reopened on 1st October after a three-month-long break. It was time now for the season’s first safari which is always a source of great joy for everyone at Kanha. This year was no different!
The excitement was palpable as we entered the park and caught our first glimpse of Kanha – its glistening green meadows resplendent under the rays of the sun.
All of us instantly felt a renewed sense of calm, our minds refreshed and rejuvenated as we observed the pristine beauty that lay before us with lots of Spotted Deer and Swamp Deer to give us company.
What could be better than this glorious moment!
As we moved forward, we crossed several lush meadows and gurgling streams. In the vicinity, we saw a patrolling camp where two safari vehicles were parked. A couple of tourists were taking pictures of some animals.
We made sure to proceed quietly.
Lo and behold, there was a pack of 11 red wild dogs moving along the backdrop of the gorgeous green landscapes through the forest, not far from the road.
Our guide quickly pointed out one wild dog that had a collar. We immediately realized that this was the wild dog that had been collared by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India.
A great feat indeed!
Watching these wild dogs moving into the forest thickets and then walking out in the open, jumping and rolling in the grass was a sight for sore eyes.
DID YOU KNOW? Wild dogs are one of the least studied carnivores in the Central Indian landscape, and it is usually quite difficult to monitor their movements in the jungle. They cover a large territory and also venture into the peripheries of villages, often forming their den around them.
Over the years, these wild dogs have been susceptible to diseases like mange and canine distemper which can eventually wipe out the whole pack.
At Kanha, we make every effort to closely monitor these wild dogs so that we can collect proper data about their movements around the jungle as well as in the nearby villages.
Our aim is to assist the forest department in their conservation efforts to help safeguard these beautiful predators and their future generations.
We are positive that this radio-collared dog and her pack will be instrumental in understanding the wild dogs’ local movements and their home range.
David Raju
Naturalist, Singinawa Jungle Lodge
