Documentary on wolves wins awards

BENGALURU: Wildlife filmmakers Krupakar and Senani took six months just to spot a wolf. And it took them another six months to find and follow the rest of the pack.

"That is how our documentary on wolves began," said Krupakar of their film Walking with Wolves, which won awards in two categories at the CMS Vatavaran Environment and Wildlife Film Festival held in Delhi on Sunday.

They received awards for wildlife conservation and best cinematography. The Mysuru-based duo followed the wolf pack for three years. In 2011, they began their research on wolves in Ballari, Raichur, Koppal and the Maharashtra border.

"Wolves are more endangered than tigers but they are a neglected lot. There is unfortunately no habitat left for them in India," said Krupakar, who has more than 25 years of experience as a wildlife filmmaker.

Wolves are one of the most difficult animals to track in open areas as they live close to human settlements and know all the tricks to keep themselves safe from villagers. "Every other local shepherd hates them. But even wolves have guardian angels in the form of nomadic shepherds."

Nomadic shepherds believe wolves are like their brothers and 25% of their share belongs to the wolves. The documentary revolves around the enduring relationship between the nomadic shepherds and wolves and the challenges they face in the open scrub plains and agricultural lands.

Krupakar an d Senani have spent 16 years studying and filming wild dogs and won %the Whitley Award, also called the Green Oscar, in 2010 for their documentary The Pack, based on the lives of wild dogs. It was the first Asia n Film to win the prestigious award.

Krupakar and Senani are presently researching snow leopards in the Himalayas.