This wild dog species is known as the dhole, an obscure predator in the wilderness of India.
The Wild Dog with a Unique Whistle
At first glance, it may resemble a fox, but these creatures are actually a dhole (Cuon alpinus), also known as the Asian wild dog or Indian wild dog.
In fact, this wild dog holds a unique position in the predator hierarchy, often hunting in packs, much like its distant cousin, the gray wolf.
Asian wild dogs can adapt to various habitats
The Asian wild dog originates from South Asia. Its historical range extends from India to China, Vietnam, and down to Malaysia and Indonesia, with Java being its southern limit.
The Asian wild dog can be easily recognized by its reddish-brown fur mixed with yellow, along with its dark-colored tail.
Asian wild dogs are capable of adapting to many different habitats. Typically, they inhabit dry and moist deciduous forests, as well as dense tropical rainforests, providing excellent cover for hunting. They live in areas with primary, secondary, and degraded forests, evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, dry thorny scrub, as well as forest-grassland vegetation. However, they can also thrive in high-altitude forests, grasslands, and open plains in Kashmir. The second part of their scientific name, alpinus, suggests that dholes can live in mountainous regions.
In Vietnam, the Asian wild dog is a rare species listed in the Red Data Book of Vietnam as well as globally, falling under a hunting ban. This species is found in Lai Châu, Lào Cai, Sơn La, Bắc Cạn, Quảng Trị, Bình Định, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, and Lâm Đồng. The dhole is widely distributed in mountainous provinces from North to South, except for the Red River Delta and the Mekong Delta, as well as on islands.
Also known as the Asian wild dog, dholes once had a range covering nearly half the globe. Today, dhole is an endangered species with an estimated population of fewer than 2,500 adults.
Despite their small size, weighing between 12 to 18 kg, dholes are known for their remarkable courage and agility, capable of taking down prey much larger than themselves. These agile creatures can even jump straight to heights over 2 meters in the air, a remarkable feat for an animal of their size.
Unlike other wild dogs, dholes are highly social animals. They live and hunt in packs ranging from 5 to 12 members. Some observers have noted groups as large as 40 individuals, although this is quite rare.
Dholes inhabit dense forests, grasslands, mountains, scrublands, and pine forests. The fur color of these Asian wild dogs can range from charcoal gray to red or brown, with highlights of yellow, white, or other bright colors.
The hierarchy within the pack is often egalitarian, with responsibilities shared equally among both males and females. These bonds help the pack coordinate in hunting efforts and ensure the survival of the pups.
As dusk falls, these wild dogs begin their hunt. The quiet of the night is soon filled with their distinctive whistles, an essential part of their communication system. Each member, guided by these whistles, plays specific roles.
Though they are part of the dog family, dholes do not bark or howl; instead, they produce unique sounds resembling screams, chirps, and whistles that they use for communication and hunting.
With a coordinated attack, they can take down a robust sambar deer. Dholes are known for taking down prey that can weigh up to 50 times their body weight.
Unlike most dog species, after each hunt, they allow the pups in the pack to eat first. They typically avoid humans but do not hesitate to confront dangerous animals, such as wild boars, buffalo, or even tigers.
These wild dogs once roamed across North America, Europe, and Asia, but 12,000 to 18,000 years ago, they were reduced to their current habitats in East and South Asia. It is believed that dholes originated from a primitive wild dog lineage found during the Pleistocene era, wandering across Europe, North America, and Asia.
Despite reports of this wild dog species killing tigers, we have yet to observe this happening in current times. Although they have the potential to coexist with these top predators, the Indian wild dog continues to struggle for survival in areas inhabited by humans.
Jan Kamler from the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at Oxford University told The Guardian: “I consider dhole to be the most extreme dog species due to their unique morphological and behavioral traits, such as having specialized teeth for hypercarnivory.”
Unlike other dog species, dholes rarely exhibit aggressive behavior towards each other. Dholes are carnivores, primarily hunting ungulate mammals in packs; they are known to consume over 1 kg of meat in under 4 seconds.
An Endangered Species?
The combination of habitat loss, diseases from domestic dogs, and competition with larger predators such as tigers and leopards has led to a significant decline in dhole populations.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the dhole as an endangered species, with a global population estimated to be fewer than 2,000 adults.
Kate Jenks, a conservation biologist at the Minnesota Zoo who has spent nine years trapping, collaring, and studying tigers in Thailand, stated: “Compared to tigers, a dhole is not very ‘glamorous’. They tend to be overlooked by scientists and conservationists who are more focused on tigers and leopards that live in the same area.”
In the wild, it has been observed that this wild dog species breeds from October to January, but this can vary in captivity. Female dholes can give birth to 5-10 pups per litter, but sometimes as many as 12 to 16 pups.
Despite the numerous challenges, these predators are gradually adapting to survive. Dholes are adjusting their behavior and diet to quickly changing environments. For example, it has been observed that dholes in the wild are shifting from diurnal to nocturnal activity in areas with high human activity.
To cope with their declining numbers, efforts are underway to protect these fascinating predators. Various initiatives, both governmental and non-governmental, are taking steps to conserve dhole habitats, prevent disease, and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
The growth rate of the pups is generally similar to that of prairie wolves. By six months of age, the pups will hunt alongside the pack, and by eight months, they may be assigned tasks similar to those of adult members.
Typically, around 3 years old, females leave the pack to join another. In the wild, the average lifespan of these animals is about 10 years. Captive dholes live an average of 15 to 16 years.
A new study by the London Zoological Society reveals that global warming is directly impacting the Asian wild dog species. Scientists are concerned that the extinction of a single species in the wild can lead to environmental crises or the extinction of other species. Losing one species disrupts the balance of the ecosystem, particularly the balance within the food chain, leading to the extinction or significant decline in numbers of many other species.
Facing the threat of extinction, this dog species is gradually adapting to survive. They have altered their behavior and diet in response to the continuously changing climate. For instance, they have shifted to being active at night instead of during the day as they were previously.
Scientists are also making efforts to study and conserve the habitat, helping the Asian wild dogs prevent diseases and reduce conflicts with humans. There is hope that it is not too late for humanity to take action and change its behaviors to save this unique dog species of Asia.
