বাংলায় পড়ুন
One of the most documented phenomenon across the world is the hybridisation between dogs and wild canids. However, would you be surprised to come across such a hybrid in Howrah, West Bengal?
Not surprisingly, jackals do roam about freely in the open in Bengal and feral dogs are common. With the gradual increase in the population of the stray dogs, it is likely that hybridisation is becoming a familiar spectacle. The hybrid specie is distinctive in its appearance, having a coat of white and a tinge of orange, carrying the sharp behavioural instincts and features of jackals. Moreover, the crossbreed of street dogs and golden jackals roam about in pack and have the structure and colourisation of dogs.
According to Arjun Srivathsa, a canid scientist from the Department of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation, Gainesville, Florida, and the project leader of Wild Canids-India Project, based on the taxonomic status and social structure, some wild canids are more prone to this phenomenon. Several reports of jackal-dog and wolf-dog hybrids from many locations across India, have been recorded. And a thorough study is required to understand these species better.
