Canidae | Cuon alpinus

Dhole

Dholes (Cuon alpinus), also known as Asian wild dogs, are social animals that live in packs of around fifteen individuals. Group life allows them to hunt larger prey but also to defend themselves against tigers and panthers, who live in the same territories.

Characteristics

Status

Endangered (EN) Size

Discover Gestation

Discover Habitat

Forest Diet

Carnivore

Dhole IUCN Status

EX Globally extinct RE Disappeared at the regional level CR Critically endangered EN Endangered (EN) VU Vulnerable NT Near Threatened LC Least concern

Dhole Size

Dhole Gestation

Ecozone Into the wild of Russia

Description

An animal like no other

Not quite a fox, nor completely a wolf, the dhole is a canine in its own right! Indeed, the Asian wild dog lives in a pack of about fifteen individuals, very hierarchical and united.

Although they don’t bark, these canines are formidable hunters who cooperate to hunt prey larger than themselves. To communicate, they use a varied repertoire of calls. It is also through these vocalizations that young people learn from their elders to keep their place in the pack.

Conservation

A worrying situation

Despite of their good adaptability to different biotopes, populations are in sharp decline in all regions. This is mainly due to the decrease in the number of prey and the reduction of wild spaces due to urban expansion.

In addition, conflicts with breeders, diseases transmitted by domestic dogs are additional threats affecting the workforce. Today, the dhole occupies only 25% of its historic range. In danger of extinction, the latest estimates show only 950 to 2,500 mature individuals.

The EcoZonia pack is part of a European breeding program (EEP) which aims to maintain the viability of this species. The park is part of the educational committee and works in close collaboration with the European coordinator of the species