Wolf attacks threaten mithun farming in Mizoram’s Sailulak & Leng villages

Sailulak/Leng: Gayal or mithun (Bos frontalis) farmers in Sailulak and Leng villages of Serchhip district, bordering Myanmar, are facing heavy losses as packs of wolves repeatedly attack their herds, killing juveniles soon after birth.F Vanlalruata, a farmer from Sailulak, said around 40 families in the village rear nearly 250 gayals under a semi-domestication system. “Five families began with about 50 gayals in 2017, and the numbers grew steadily despite repeated wolf attacks,” he told TOI.The state animal husbandry and veterinary department began supporting gayal domestication in 2019 by providing barbed wire, fencing materials, shelters, and ponds. However, complete fencing remains impossible as gayals roam freely in forests, grazing on natural forage.“Some of our animals even cross the Tiau river into Myanmar’s Chin state to graze,” Vanlalruata said, adding that despite living in the wild, gayals are generally docile and recognise their owners.Since 2019, villagers have lost nearly 300 juvenile gayals to predators, mainly wolves. Farmers in neighbouring Leng village echoed similar concerns. There, 11 families rear about 55 gayals. Tlanghmingthanga said they began rearing gayals in 2018 with bank loans and expanded with state support in 2021, semi-domesticating over 180 animals.Lalnghenchhana of Leng stressed that timely compensation from the state environment and forest department for wolf attacks would ease their burden.Gayal, locally known as sial, is deeply rooted in Mizo tradition. Owning one is considered a symbol of prosperity and high status. Though not generally milked, gayals are prized for meat, used in social and religious festivals, and serve as a form of currency for dowries, barter, and dispute settlements.Despite mounting challenges, farmers in Sailulak and Leng remain determined to continue rearing gayals, a practice tied to Mizo heritage dating back to their time in Burma before settling in present-day Mizoram.