Asiatic wild dog (Dhole)

The dhole, also known as the Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus), previously thought to be locally extinct, has made a confirmed return to Assam’s Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape (KKAL). This significant finding comes from a new study by scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The last confirmed sighting of dholes in northeast India was reported from Nagaland in 2011.

About the Dhole:

• Social Behavior: Dholes are highly social animals, known to form packs of up to 30 individuals. However, their hunting behavior can vary; they may hunt alone or in pairs depending on the availability of prey.
• Current Distribution: The dhole’s present distribution is restricted to parts of Central and Eastern Asia. This includes countries such as India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.
• Conservation Status:
  • It is listed as an endangered species under the IUCN Red List.
  • In India, the dhole or Asiatic Wild Dog is a Schedule II species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, indicating high protection.
• Conservation Breeding: The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in Visakhapatnam is currently India’s only conservation breeding center for this endangered species.