Q. What is the IUCN Status of 'Indian grey wolf', recently seen in the news?
Answer:
Least concern
Notes: The recent sighting of the Indian grey wolf in National Chambal Sanctuary, Etawah, has sparked enthusiasm among wildlife enthusiasts. Scientifically known as Canis lupus pallipes, it's a subspecies found in Southwest Asia to the Indian Subcontinent, adapting to warmer conditions. Intermediate in size, it lacks the Tibetan wolf's winter coat. With a habitat in scrub, grasslands, and semi-arid agro-ecosystems, its distribution spans from the Indian subcontinent to Israel. With around 3,000 in India, it holds a conservation status of "Least Concern" under IUCN.