📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Michael Gäbler
Science
Rare White Wolf Spotted in Dhule Grasslands; Scientists Probe Genetic Roots
✍️ Mid-Day
🗓 09 Oct 2026, 09:32 AM
👁 9
A white wolf, a rare sight in India, was observed in the grasslands near Dhule, Maharashtra. Researchers are investigating whether a genetic mutation may explain its unusual coloration.
A lone white wolf was spotted roaming the grasslands near Dhule in Maharashtra, an event that has drawn attention from wildlife experts across the country.
The animal was first reported by local residents who noted its striking pale fur, a stark contrast to the typical grey or brown coat of Indian wolves. The sighting took place in the early hours of Tuesday, with several witnesses capturing photographs on their phones.
Maharashtra’s wildlife department has dispatched a team of zoologists and geneticists to the area. They plan to collect non‑invasive samples, such as shed hair and scat, to analyze for possible genetic mutations that could account for the wolf’s white coloration.
If a genetic basis is confirmed, the finding could provide new insights into the biodiversity of the region and help inform conservation strategies for the species. The team will also monitor the wolf’s movements to ensure it is not threatened by human activity.
The animal was first reported by local residents who noted its striking pale fur, a stark contrast to the typical grey or brown coat of Indian wolves. The sighting took place in the early hours of Tuesday, with several witnesses capturing photographs on their phones.
Maharashtra’s wildlife department has dispatched a team of zoologists and geneticists to the area. They plan to collect non‑invasive samples, such as shed hair and scat, to analyze for possible genetic mutations that could account for the wolf’s white coloration.
If a genetic basis is confirmed, the finding could provide new insights into the biodiversity of the region and help inform conservation strategies for the species. The team will also monitor the wolf’s movements to ensure it is not threatened by human activity.