Striped Hyaena, Indian Wolf, Indian Fox and other wildlife of Gujarat, March 2020: Trip Report

Please follow the link for a detailed report 

A brief, mammal watching oriented guided tour to the salt pans of the Little Rann of Kutch and the tropical grasslands of Velavadar produced carnivores galore – including Striped Hyaena, Indian Wolf, both foxes and Jungle Cat, most with pups/cubs, among the easier to see ungulates. In Velavadar, it was interesting to observe Blackbuck on the cusp of their bi-annual lekking peak. Bird highlights included numerous Aquila eagles, Red-necked Falcon and harriers among other raptors, Sykes Nightjar, Common and Demoiselle Cranes, Greater Flamingo, Dalmatian and Great White Pelicans among a variety of wetland birds. There is always something magical about the wide open spaces of the Rann (but the ‘bets’ are sadly quite disturbed for illegal charcoal making, cattle grazing and possibly more sinister activities) as well as golden grasslands (at this time of the year) of Velavadar. It was great hosting Andreas here, hearing about his ‘fresh off the press’ adventures while searching for some of the world’s most elusive wild cats in the Eastern Himalayas, and learning about his far flung travels across the globe in pursuit of wild cats and other wildlife.

Dates

2nd to 6th March 2020

Locations

Wild Ass Sanctuary, Little Rann of Kutch; Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar

List of Mammals seen

Striped Hyaena Hyaena hyaena
Indian Wolf Canis lupus pallipes
Indian Fox Vulpes bengalensis
Desert Fox Vulpes vulpes pusilla
Golden Jackal Canis aureus
Jungle Cat Felis Chaus
Indian Hare Lepus nigricollis
Five-striped Palm Squirrel Funambulus pennantii
Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus
Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra
Indian Wild Ass Equis hemionus pallas
Indian Wild Pig Sus Scrofa
Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus
Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardsii