The Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) has been contemplating releasing captive-bred wolves into the grasslands of Ballari and Koppal districts.
In this connection a meeting of officials of the Forest Department and public representatives was held in Kamalapur in Hosapete taluk of the district on Saturday with the member secretary of ZAK in the chair. However, wildlife enthusiasts expressed concern over the proposed move.
A senior department official told The Hindu that the proposal was still in the infant stages. The meeting convened was to elicit the opinions about the pros and cons on the proposal. According to the official, it was a new experiment in the State.
Santosh Martin, wildlife conservation activist, wrote a letter to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) to advise the member secretary of ZAK to drop the proposed move.
According to Mr. Martin, the exercise, if given effect, would kill all the released carnivores (wolves) as they do not have the skills and instincts to hunt on their own and protect themselves from predators. The captive animals also lack fear of humans and are sure of becoming sitting ducks for the shepherds. There were also risk of these released animals transmitting diseases, he said.