Black buck threatened by Dog Menence

[shahid]

From the TOI website.

Author obviously is not an outdoorsman.
It is not clear whether it is the Indian Wild Dog ( Kaalpoonch in Hindi ) or village mongrels that have become bold.
Hunting Dog - another anomality. What is he referring to ? Fox hounds ? Pointers, Retreivers. Not at all I guess. The guy has done no research on dogs as well, if they are hunting dogs are they deployed by villagers to hunt blackbucks?
If there are 13,000 black bucks in this small patch of scrub then it is high time the govt issued game permits at Rs. 1 Lakh each to bring down the population to about 5,000. That would be sustainable in a small forest.

As for Mrs. Meneka Gandihi, Mam what would you prefer. These dogs should be shot or delivered to your door?

Here's the article :
AHMEDABAD: While the city grapples with stray dog menace, in a shocking development, endangered black bucks in Velavadar sanctuary are being hounded by packs of wild dogs.

The problem has arisen because of increase in dog population in villages on borders of the sanctuary. The reason for this is ironic - farmers keep guard dogs to protect their crop from threats, including black bucks.

A senior official says there is no control on dog population and many are hunting dogs, which are even more dangerous for these animals. "On an average, three to four deaths of black bucks are reported in a month. In fact, several incidents go unnoticed," he said.

Sources in the sanctuary say, "In villages in an area of 35 sq km around the national park, there is a sharp rise in number of dogs and attacks on black bucks have shot up." While adult black bucks manage to escape dog packs, young ones do get injured.

The problem has reached alarming proportions and guards have to move around with sticks to shoo away dogs. "The guard on duty has to chase dogs out of the sanctuary. Not just one or two, but at least eight to 10 attack at a time," says a beat guard.

The black buck population in the national park is around 13,000 as per forest department census. The dog menace exists in Velavadar, Karnatalav, Gangwada, Baraliya and Madhiya. Not just forest department, villagers are also worried about the problem. "The number of dogs has increased and, sometimes, it becomes difficult to sleep because of their constant barking. There have been incidents of visiting relatives being chased and frightened," says Popat Patel, resident of Velavadar.
Says sarpanch of Velavadar, Gordhan Patel, "Farmers have five to six dogs. It's essential for them to have guard dogs as black bucks destroy crops." He says forest department has ways of controlling rising dog population.

Conservator of forests Bharat Pathak also admits there is a problem on hand. "Velavadar village is right on the boundary of the national park and forest department is taking measures to keep dogs away," he says.

[TenX]

... and guards have to move around with sticks to shoo away dogs...

What fun this must be Imagine.. walking in the forest with a stick in the middle of the night.. and shooing away packs of wild dogs... All those guards are Tarzan-material

[snIPer]

Well, To start off maybe they can issue licenses to hunt those dogs and once they are taken care of we can look at other things.
The profits of the proceedings can be given to Menaka Gandhi

[nagarifle]

sounds like the reporter was in journalists club slinging rum, and not on the ground.

i see no reason why state can not issue temporary hunting permit for a particle's spices of animal.

where i am, its not the government rules but the local village rules are enforced. life is different all over India.

and armchair journalist does not help either.

young MS G can have the canine in her gardens by all means.

[Mack The Knife]

Introduce a few leopards to the area. Unlike the tiger they adapt easily and will take care of the dogs and perhaps a few wannabe shikaris as well.

P.S.: That black buck population figure appears to be suspect and I wouldn't be surprised if there are some vested interests involved.

[TenX]

One important aspect of dogs is that they have a gene-driven behavior called 'Pack behavior'
They behave differently when in packs as compared to when single or in twos.
As long as they are not in numbers exceeding around 2, they will expect food to be given, mostly by the owner. Once they grow in numbers, the pack behavior takes over and a hunting instinct takes over.
This is the very problem that happened in Bangalore, but was cleverly hidden by the press, owing to political pressure.
Around 8 years back, a motive was initiated by the then state government to operate stray dogs ensuring they do not reproduce. Only one set up was provided with two vans and 10 cycles. What these blokes did was capture dogs from all parts of town, and keep then in the center together. About 30% of the dogs died, unable to take the operation 'or' because of fights with other dogs. After about 3-4 months, these dogs, on whom the operation was done successfully, would be released in the same location, all at a time. This was the biggest mistake. Once they all stayed together for 3-4 months, they had evolved into a pack! They had a leader and a hunting instinct. And they were all together on the street now, free and united
The guys who pick up and release these dogs do not have a larger area to keep them seperate. They are just lusker-class guys who dont fit any other department.
This resulted in over 13 attacks and five deaths in the last two years. Small kids look tasty to this pack, and the slightest reaction from these kids (who are mostly playing on the same streets) result in press-material.
Sadly, the government fails to recognise this state-of-affair, and have presently stopped even catching and operating them but kill them ruthlessly. And while doing this, the docile ones, which are easier to catch are being killed, while the ferocious pack manages to elude the dog-catchers!
They are yet to provide a mobile van for on-the-spot operation...

More reads:
http://www.pastorlinu.com/my-thoughts/w ... tray-dogs/
http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/01/06/st ... 720300.htm
http://indiainteracts.com/columnist/200 ... tray-dogs/
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Banga ... ---/25242/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6446517.stm
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/729776447

[OverUnderPump]

Are they feral or real wild dogs ? If they are wild ones, they can be relocated. If they are feral ones, bring on the permits.

How big is this area that houses "such a sizeable population" of black bucks ?

regards

OUP

[snIPer]

I Like Mack The Knifes Idea.

I lost 4 cats in 2 days last week to a pack of stray dogs.

TenX seems to have got that theory right.

[Shamsher]

A little off topic, still I would like to share my thoughts about this
For instance the thermal power unit in Narora on Ganga River. It,s a huge area with a lot of trees and bushes, boundry walls about 5 to 6 ft high & wire fencing on top.

As you drive alongside you can see herds of Cheetal, Blubul & Boars

No wild animals or dogs or even poachers can access this area. They are safe & breeding happily.

Similarly Sikandra at Agra- has been in the news lately, stray dogs somehow managed to sneak in & killed a few of the beautiful black bucks. - now this is a very protected monument with a good number of security personel around. -

Likewise there are many other places in our country where wild animals are kept in their natural surroundings with a prominent boundry wall

I feel there are small areas all over the country where there are small clusters of these wild animals. they graze on the fields & sometimes are considered pests.
These areas should be identified where the wildlife population is going down.
(I know you will think about the sariska episode!!)
These animals should be relocated to safer places, bigger (and safer) sancturies and so on.

I feel, these animals will perish as victims of human Interfearence to their natural surroundings

Wish we had some educated Ministers, politicians & officials who would do something more concrete for conservation, it would be appreciated by all.

What do u think !

[OverUnderPump]

Wish we had some educated Ministers, politicians & officials

I believe Concerned is more appropriate here.


Frankly the politicos aren't interested as the animals are a generally disinterested in franchise .

regards

OUP