Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole):  Conservation Status

 

The Asiatic wild dog or dhole is scientifically known as Cuon alpinus.

It is a highly social wild canid that lives in packs.

Its distribution includes parts of India and other areas of South and Southeast Asia.

The species is threatened by habitat loss, prey depletion, disease transmission from domestic dogs and human-wildlife conflict.

Key Pointers

  • Scientific name → Cuon alpinus

  • Common names → Dhole, Asiatic wild dog, Indian wild dog.

  • Family → Canidae

  • Habitat → Forests and grassland-forest mosaics.

  • Behaviour → Highly social, pack-living carnivore.

  • IUCN → Endangered.

  • 2026 → Rare wolf-dhole association documented in Melghat Tiger Reserve.