Dhole (Asiatic Wild Dog)

Source: TH

Context: A recent study by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) confirmed the reappearance of the dhole (Asiatic wild dog) in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape, marking its return after being considered locally extinct.

About Dhole (Cuon alpinus):

• Species Profile: The dhole is a social carnivore, also known as the Asiatic wild dog, and is classified as Endangered by the IUCN.

• Habitat: Prefers dense forests, scrublands, and mountainous terrains; requires large, undisturbed habitats with high prey density.

• Distribution: Found in South, Central, and Southeast Asia. In India, populations exist in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, central India, and parts of the northeast.

• Key Features: Rusty-red coat with a bushy black-tipped tail. Packs are matriarchal, highly coordinated hunters. Plays a vital role in maintaining prey population balance in forest ecosystems.

• Rusty-red coat with a bushy black-tipped tail.

• Packs are matriarchal, highly coordinated hunters.

• Plays a vital role in maintaining prey population balance in forest ecosystems.

About Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong Landscape (KKAL):

• Location & Extent: Spreads over 25,000 km² in Assam, touching parts of Meghalaya and Nagaland and lies south of the Brahmaputra River.

• Protected Areas Network: Includes Kaziranga National Park, Karbi Anglong, and linkages to Pakke, Nameri, Laokhowa–Burhachapori, Nambor, and Ntanki protected areas.

• Flora & Fauna: Home to tropical semi-evergreen forests, grasslands, and marshy wetlands. Rich biodiversity: one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, leopard, sloth bear, and over 500 bird species.

• Home to tropical semi-evergreen forests, grasslands, and marshy wetlands.

• Rich biodiversity: one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, leopard, sloth bear, and over 500 bird species.

• Ecological Significance: Acts as a genetic and movement corridor for megafauna. One of the last large continuous forest patches in northeast India. Plays a key role in long-term species survival in a fragmented landscape.

• Acts as a genetic and movement corridor for megafauna.

• One of the last large continuous forest patches in northeast India.

• Plays a key role in long-term species survival in a fragmented landscape.