The Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole)

Current Status, ecology and biology of the Asiatic wild dog or dhole is reviewed and summarized providing vital information on biology, ecology, status, conservation, management and other characteristics peculiar to the dhole. Dhole is one of the endangered species among the canids and a least studied social carnivore. 11 sub species have been so far recognized across the globe. Now across the geographic range of this species, shrinking habitats, habitat degradation, developmental process, poaching and retaliatory killing have all lead dholes to a high degree of isolation and even local extinctions. Less than 2500 mature individual remain in the wild, and less than 150 individuals are in captivity. Based on earlier studies, population density were found to be as low as 0.3 in central India and 0.13 in southern India per Km. Home range sizes of packs varied from 12 to 83.3 sq.km. The need for such a multifaceted review arises from a necessity to direct further research efforts towards the least studied geographic ranges of dholes like the Himalayan ecosystem and also to meet demands for conservation management.