Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole)

A rare Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole) has been camera-trapped for the first time in the Ratapani Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh.
The sighting indicates improving habitat quality and prey availability in the reserve.

About Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole)

• Scientific name: Cuon alpinus
• A wild canid native to South and Southeast Asia
• A social, pack-hunting apex predator
• Plays a crucial role in regulating herbivore populations and maintaining ecosystem balance

Habitat & Distribution

• Preferred habitats:
  • Dense forests
  • Forest–grassland mosaics
  • Hilly and undulating terrains with good prey density
• India:
  • Central Indian forests
  • Western Ghats
  • Eastern Ghats

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Endangered (EN)
• Major threats:
  • Habitat fragmentation
  • Decline in prey species
  • Disease transmission from domestic dogs
  • Human disturbance