The Himalayan wolf (Canis lupus chanco) is an evolutionary distinct wolf lineage endemic to Central Asia, which is uniquely adapted to its high-altitude ecosystem.
Although these wolves were noticed as being distinct in the 19th century, scientific research and conservation attention has only taken shape in the last decade.
Years of work, led by WildCRU’s Geraldine Werhahn, finally confirmed Himalayan wolves as genetically distinct from the wider ranging Holarctic grey wolves. The team’s efforts resulted in the first ever Red List assessment for this subspecies being published in June 2023. With an estimated 2,275 – 3,792 mature individuals left in the wild and a decreasing population trend they are currently classified as Vulnerable.
This assessment compiles the latest science around the Himalayan wolf and is crucial to inform conservation planning.