Rescue and Veterinary Management of an Indian Grey Wolf: A Case Study on Human–Wolf Conflict and Conservation Efforts in Rajasthan

Indian Grey Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) faces several threats and challenges to its survival in the wild, including habitat loss, fragmentation, zoonotic disease, and retaliatory killing due to human–wolf conflict. The present study provides a detailed account of the rescue operation of the Indian Grey Wolf from the Bawarla village, Jodhpur district, Rajasthan. This rescue operation deals with the rescue procedure and associated challenges, as well as the immediate veterinary care provided for the rescued wolf at the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre. After the rescue, a skin turgor test was performed to assess the body’s dehydration status, and primary treatment was administered. Initial medications were provided to alleviate pain, stress, and infection, alongside wound management. At the rescue centre, an auscultation test was performed to identify a lung infection, necessitating further antibiotic treatment. Although the wolf initially exhibited signs of recovery, it later manifested symptoms indicative of rabies, including hypersalivation, circular movements, and hydrophobia. Human interaction was minimized throughout the treatment process. Veterinarians and staff maintained distance and restricted access to the enclosure to prevent possible visits. After vaccination, questionnaire surveys were conducted in Bawarla and nearby villages to investigate new rabies case reports in domestic and wild fauna. The pack of remaining wolves was monitored for any symptoms of rabies, but they roamed actively and remained healthy.