The dogs hunt and harass wild animals and compete with them for limited resources. But in India – not just in Ladakh but across the country – free-ranging dogs have become a high-profile problem with few easy solutions. They often prey on livestock, but they also chase down wild animals like the Tibetan wild donkey, or kiang. Some research from Nepal, she added, suggests that free-ranging dogs could also be a food source for snow leopards and Himalayan wolves. “We need more nuanced and critical studies that look at all animals, including dogs, as part of the ecological system,” Rana said.

Source: The Star January 31, 2026 17:31 UTC