Dhole

IN NEWS:

• Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh rank high in the conservation of the endangered dhole in India, according to a new study by Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society-India and other institutes.

About Dhole:

• The dhole (Cuon alpinus) is a canid from Asia that is related to dogs and foxes.
• There are many common names for it: Asiatic wild dog, Indian wild dog, whistling dog, red dog, and mountain wolf.
• The dhole lives in big, loosely organised groups with several breeding females.
• The groups usually have about 12 dholes, but some have over 40.

• It is awake in the day and hunts in groups. It usually eats medium sized to big hoofed animals.
• In tropical forests, the dhole competes with tigers and leopards, targeting somewhat different prey species, but still with substantial dietary overlap.
• It is listed as Endangered by the IUCN.
• The population is getting smaller, and there are probably fewer than 2,500 adults left. The reasons for this are lack of habitat, lack of food, competing with other animals, being hunted, and getting diseases from pet dogs.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding Dhole/ Indian wild dog:
1.It is listed as critically endangered by IUCN.
2.It is endemic to India, Nepal 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 to prelims question