Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole)

Why in news?

• A recent study conducted in Assam’s Manas National Park has revealed that the coexistence and potential cooperation between Asiatic wild dogs (dholes) and tigers are influenced by factors such as prey availability and habitat suitability.

About Dhole

• The dhole (Cuon alpinus) is a canid from Asia that is related to dogs and foxes.
• They are native to Central, South, East, and Southeast Asia.
• Distribution in India: The dhole occurs in most of India south of the Ganges, particularly in the Central Indian Highlands and the Western and Eastern Ghats. It is also present in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and West Bengal and in the Indo-Gangetic Plain's Terai region.
• Other names for the species: Asian wild dog, Asiatic wild dog, Indian wild dog, whistling dog (because it makes a whistling sound), red dog, and mountain wolf.
• Conservation status:
  • It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
  • CITES Appendix II
  • Protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• The dhole lives in big, loosely organised groups with several breeding females.
• Factors contributing to declining population:habitat loss, loss of prey, competition with other species, persecution due to livestock predation, and disease transfer from domestic dogs.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements regarding Dhole:

1. They are critically endangered species as per IUCN Red List.
2. They are endemic to India and Bangladesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer