Mumbai: Vikhroli East residents panic after spotting ‘wolves’, alert forest dept

MUMBAI: The residents of Kannamwar Nagar in Vikhroli (East) have informed the Mumbai range forest department that they have been noticing wild animals resembling ‘wolves' near their locality for the past two days and that the wild animals are attacking the local dogs. However, the forest officials said that the locals may have mistaken golden jackals for ‘wolves'. The forest officials, however, said that they will soon visit the site to look into the matter.The honorary wildlife warden with the Mumbai forest department, Pawan Sharma, told TOI: "The jackals, including the golden jackal species, reside in the mangrove forests in and around the coastal region of Vikhroli (east) and Kannamwar Nagar. So, it is most likely that the local residents spotted jackals, but mistook them to be wolves because of the recent media reports about wolves attacking humans in parts of UP, such as Bahraich. We will soon go there and investigate."A local resident informed the cops that many citizens had heard howling sounds, which led to the loud barking of city dogs, causing concern among the public.Meanwhile, environmentalists have urged the state govt to protect the natural habitats of jackals, as expanding human settlements are harming the wildlife. "There are certainly a few golden jackals in the mangroves at Kannamwar Nagar, which has recently seen hectic construction activity, disturb the wildlife there,"said environmentalist D Stalin of Vanashakti group.