The Dhole, also known as the Asiatic Wild Dog, is a creature of interest, often featured in the news due to its unique characteristics and conservation status. This species is primarily found in various regions across India. In this article, we will explore the intricate details about Dholes, including their habitat, IUCN status, and other fascinating facts. 

The Dhole is a type of canid species that inhabits eleven different Asian countries.

• Dholes are scientifically known as Cuon alpinus.
• They are also referred to as the Asiatic wild dog, Asian Wild Dog, Indian wild dog, whistling dog, and red dog.
• The Conservation Status of Dholes:
• They are classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
• Dhole is a Schedule II species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• They are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
• Dholes are social animals that typically live in clans of twelve.
• In India, Dholes are found in three distinct clusters:
• Western and Eastern Ghats
• North East India
• Central Indian Landscape

Characteristics of Dholes

• Dholes possess physical traits that are a mix of the grey wolf and the red fox, with a long backbone and slender limbs akin to a cat.
• They have a broad and heavy head, which gives them a resemblance to hyenas.
• Adult females weigh between 10 to 17 kg, while adult males weigh between 15 to 21 kg.
• The general color of their fur is reddish, which is most vibrant during the winter season.
• The throat, chest, flanks, and belly, along with the upper parts of the limbs, have a slightly yellowish tone.
• Their tail is fluffy with a brown tip.
• Dholes are known to produce a whistling sound, earning them the nickname "whistling dogs." They can also make a variety of other sounds, including whining, chattering, growling, and screaming. However, unlike wolves, Dholes do not bark or howl.
• Dholes live in clans of 5 to 12 individuals, referred to as packs. However, larger clans of up to 40 individuals have been reported in some regions.
• They are more social compared to wolves and rarely engage in intragroup fighting. Interestingly, they do not mark their territory like other canids.
• Dhole clans can contain more than one breeding female, which is unlike wolf clans. Furthermore, more than one female can den and rear their litters together in the same den.
• The gestation period for Dholes is around 60 to 63 days, with litters averaging four to six pups. The litters stay at the den site for approximately 70 to 80 days.
• Dholes are diurnal hunters, preferring to hunt during the early morning hours.
• They are tolerant of scavengers near their kill. Other pack members provide regurgitated food for the mother and children.
• Dholes in India prey on animals like Sambar deer, Chital, Wild Boar, Water Buffaloes, Cattle, Goats, and Monkeys.
• Dholes do not pose a threat to humans and have a varied diet that includes lizards and insects. They can also consume fruits and vegetables.
• Dholes share their diet with Tigers and Leopards. However, they avoid competition through selective prey choices.
• It is important to note that Dhole packs are smaller in areas with higher tiger densities, as tigers can kill Dholes with a single paw strike.
• Dholes can be affected by various diseases, including rabies and canine distemper.

Dhole Distribution and Habitat

• Dholes are found in several countries, including Pakistan, Tibet, and North Korea, in addition to India.
• In Central Asia, they inhabit mountainous regions.
• In countries like China, India, Indonesia, and Myanmar, Dholes inhabit forested areas in alpine zones, rarely venturing into plain regions.
• In India, they are specifically found in the Central Indian Highlands and Western and Eastern Ghats.
• They are also found in countries like Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Threats to Dholes:

• In the past, Dholes were killed in India to protect livestock. However, they are now protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
• Despite this protection, Dholes continue to face persecution in certain regions of India through hunting, poisoning, and snaring.

Dhole Conservation:

• Dholes are protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• The first Dhole conservation breeding center is located at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam, which was sanctioned in 2014.

Dholes in Indian Culture:

The coping stone of the Bharhut Stupa, which dates back to 100 BC, depicts three Dhole-like creatures waiting by a tree with a woman or spirit.