H2_W4_008

Date: 2008

Location: Velavadar, Gujarat

Did you know?

The Blackbuck is also known as the Indian antelope. It inhabits grassy plains and lightly forested areas. The antelope is native to and found mainly in India, while it is locally extinct in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. Until India's independence in 1947, Blackbuck was hunted in many princely states with specially trained captive Asiatic Cheetahs. By the 1970s, the Blackbuck was locally extinct in several areas.

About the picture

This photo was taken early in the morning in Velavdhar N P, Gujarat. A few Blackbucks started running helter-skelter suddenly and a closer observation revealed that they were being chased by a predator. We initially thought that wolves were after them. A few Blackbuck came running towards us when this image was clicked. Later, we saw that a young fawn had been caught by the predator, which turned out to be one of the village dogs. Village dogs, unfortunately, are a menace in this area as they kill wildlife and sometimes even spread rabies and other infections to the wolves and hyenas.

Fun Fact

Blackbucks were revered back in the day and feature on the coat of arms of at least 7 princely states of erstwhile India.