Status:
Endangered
It is estimated that fewer than 2,500 mature individuals remain in the wild and
the declining population trend is expected to continue. Main threats to the
species include ongoing habitat loss, depletion of prey base, interspecific
competition, persecution and possibly disease transfer from domestic and feral
dogs.
Population trend: Decreasing
 (Click on map for more detail )
Habitat and Ecology: The dhole is found in a wide variety of vegetation
types, including: primary, secondary and degraded forms of tropical dry and
moist deciduous forest; evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; dry thorn forests;
grassland–scrub–forest mosaics; and alpine steppe (above 3,000 m). They are not
recorded from desert regions.
In India, tropical dry and moist deciduous forest may represent optimal
habitats, based on the regions thought to hold the largest dhole populations.
Ungulate biomass, particularly that of cervid species, is highest in these
vegetation types when compared to others in the same region (A. Venkataraman and
V. Narendra Babu, unpubl.). In India, tropical dry and moist deciduous forests
are subject to seasonal monsoon climates.
Important factors that may influence habitat selection include the availability
of medium to large ungulate prey species, water, the presence of other large
carnivore species, human population levels and suitability of breeding sites
(proximity to water, presence of suitable boulder structures and sufficient
prey).
Detailed Species Account: 
(from Canids: Foxes, Wolves, Jackals and Dogs - 2004 Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan)
Reports/Papers:
Relevant Links:
Other Names:
English: Dhole, Red dog,
Asiatic wild dog.Assamese: Kuang-kukur, rang-kukur.Bengali:Ban Kutta, Ban-kukur. Bhutanese:
Phara,Burmese: Tan-kwe.Canarese: Ken-nai, chen-nai. Chenchu: Reis-kukul. Chinese: Nyar.
Gujiarati: Earam-naiko. Gurkhali: Ban-kukur. Hindi: Adivi-kuta, son-kuta, sona-kuta, rasa-kuta. Hindustani: Jungli-kuta, rwn-kuta,ban-kuta.
Kachin: Kyi-kwa-lam. Kashmiri: Jungli-kuta, ram-hun, ban-kuta, bhansa. Korku: Bun-secta. Lepcha: sa-tun. Malay:Sirgala Aijing-kutar.
Malayalam: Hahmasai-kuta, kotsun, kolsa, kolarsi.Nepali: Bwaso. Tibetan: Phara.Tamil: Chen-nai.Telegu:
Vanna-kooka. (all from Burton 1940). Thai: Maa Paa.
|
Dhole - (c) Senani
for more photos of other wild canid species, see:
|
