Every year, March 3 is celebrated as “World Wildlife Day” across the world, including Gujarat. Under this, activities are carried out to create public awareness about the world’s wild fauna and flora and to promote their conservation and breeding.

Lions, other wildlife on land

According to the last wildlife census conducted in Gujarat in 2020, the number of Asiatic lions was more than 674, while according to the population estimate – census of the year 2023, over 2.24 lakh nilgai, over 2 lakh monkeys and more than 1 lakh wild boars and chitals were reported.

Apart from this, 9,170 blackbucks, 8,221 sambars, 6,208 chinkaras, 2,299 jackals, 2,274 leopards, 2,272 langurs, 1,484 vultures, more than 1,000 cheetahs and 222 wolves have been recorded in the state.

In addition, as per the census conducted last year in 2024, a total of more than 5.65 lakh animals have been recorded in Gujarat, including 7,672 gharials, more than 300 venomous snakes like Indian cobra, common krait, Russell’s, and saw-scaled vipers.

Wolves

Recently, a wolf census was conducted in the state in the year 2023 as an important initiative by the Forest Department and the Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation. In which approximately 222 wolves have been recorded in 13 districts of the state.

Of which, the highest number of 80 wolves have been recorded in Bhavnagar district. While 39 wolves have been seen in Narmada district, 36 in Banaskantha, 18 in Surendranagar, 12 each in Jamnagar and Morbi and 9 in Kutch district. In addition, the existence of wolves has also been recorded in Porbandar, Mehsana, Navsari, Patan, Aravalli and Surat districts.

Ghudkhar

The pride of the state is the Indian wild ass or Ghudkhar, which is found only in Gujarat in the country. A population of 7,672 Ghudkhars has been recorded in the state, which means an increase of approximately 26.14%.

The Ghudkhars are mainly found in six districts of the state, of which 2,705 Ghudkhars live in Surendranagar district, the largest number. While 1,993 Ghudkhar are found in Kutch district, 1,615 in Patan, 710 in Banaskantha, 642 in Morbi and 07 Ghudkhar in Ahmedabad district.

It is worth mentioning that, according to the Ghudkhar census estimate, 720 Ghudkhars were recorded in the year 1976, 1,989 in the year 1983, 2,072 in the year 1990, 2,839 in the year 1999, 4,451 in the year 2014, and 6,082 Ghudkhars in the year 2020. In which, there was a gradual increase in the year 2024 and as per the last count, 7,672 Ghudkhars have been recorded in Gujarat.

Dolphins

Recently, a dolphin census was conducted in Gujarat by the Gujarat Forest Department. As a result of special efforts for aquatic wildlife conservation and breeding, approximately 680 dolphins have been recorded in the 4,087 sq km marine area of ​​Gujarat.

Leopard conservation

The Central Government has also approved the preparation of a Leopard Conservation Breeding Center in the Banni area of ​​Kutch, the work of which is currently in progress, which will play an important role in the conservation and breeding of leopards in the future.

Snakes

In addition, as per the guidelines of the World Health Organization - WHO, the first Snake Research Institute was established at Dharampur, Valsad. Where research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation related to snakebites and training of medical officers of Gujarat and neighbouring states on the treatment and management of snakebites are done.

At present, more than 300 venomous snakes are kept in this Snake Research Institute, the number of which will be increased to 3,000 in the future. Venom collection from snakes has also been started here as per WHO guidelines.

The snake research institute in Dharampur houses four major venomous snakes, including the Indian cobra, common krait, Russell’s viper and the saw-scaled viper, as per the forest department.