Concerns in Sikkim as feral dogs post a threat to wildlife

Freely-roaming canines in Sikkim's Tso Lhamo plateau are putting conservation efforts in the region in peril.

With mighty neighbours like the Khangchendzonga and the Tso Lhamo Lake, one of India's highest lakes, from which it derives its name, the Tso Lhamo Plateau is one of the most biodiverse and topographically-unique regions in India. It is the birthplace of the Teesta river and several significant glaciers, and is home to highly threatened species, such as the Tibetan argali, Tibetan gazelle, southern kiang, snow leopard, Tibetan sand fox, Tibetan wolf, and Pallas's cat.

While several issues have posed a threat to the region like increasing man-animal conflict and habitat degradation, the latest entrant on that list in recent years has been feral dogs. Recently, a researcher near an Army camp above Thangu, noticed two feral dogs feeding on a dead yak.

While dogs have always been present in the landscape, incidences of open dumping and improper garbage disposal have provided them with plenty of food resources, leading to high population growth. Limited competition with other carnivores in the high-altitude pasture lands has also let to their proliferation. Dogs become feral when they develop hunting and scavenging habits, gradually transforming into the most adaptable and abundant carnivore in the habitat.