Dholes

The dhole (Cuon alpinus), also known as the Asiatic wild dog, is a canid native to Asia. It is the sole member of the genus Cuon and forms highly cohesive packs. Dholes are medium-sized canids with a stocky build; adults typically weigh 10–25 kilograms and stand about 40–60 centimeters at the shoulder, with a body length of roughly 85–110 centimeters and a tail about the same length. Their coat is short and usually reddish to tan, with a paler underbelly and a darker tail tip.

Historically widespread across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and parts of China, today their range is fragmented. Dholes inhabit a variety of habitats, including forests, evergreen forests, savannas, and grasslands, as long as prey is available. They tend to avoid open desert and extreme altitudes.

Dholes hunt in cooperative packs and can number from about 6–12 individuals to more than 40. They coordinate hunts to exhaust prey and are known for vocal communication, including whistles, yips, and a distinctive horn-like howl. Packs defend territories together and pups are reared communally. Reproduction occurs once a year; gestation lasts around 60–70 days, and litters may contain several pups. Pups stay with the pack for several months as adults help in care.

The IUCN lists the dhole as Vulnerable, with a global population likely fewer than 2,500 mature individuals and a continuing decline. Major threats include habitat loss, depletion of prey, disease transmission from domestic dogs, and conflict with humans. Protected areas and cross-border cooperation are important for conservation, but effective monitoring remains challenging.