Abstract
The Dhole is a little-studied wild canid with decreasing populations throughout its global range. We conducted this study in Bhutan’s Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) to establish baseline records of Dhole distribution and habitat use. We used trail transects and recorded animal presence via tracks, scats, direct sightings and camera traps. Ancillary habitat characteristics such as elevation, slope and vegetation cover were recorded to characterise habitat use. We used MaxEnt model to estimate distribution within JDNP. We recorded 609 indicators of Dhole presence over a 60-day survey period. The model estimated almost one-fourth of JDNP as having a high probability of Dhole occurrence, which closely corresponds to the distribution of cool broadleaved forests (CBLF) and areas close to human settlements. The highest number of indicators was obtained from CBLF, between slope ranges of 2 – 38 degree and elevation ranges of 1,468 m – 4,620 m above sea level, indicating a new record upper altitude limit for Dhole distribution across its global range. We highlight JDNP as an important Dhole conservation area in the Eastern Himalayas, and recommend drafting a pragmatic conservation plan that will strive to minimize conflicts with livestock owners and include key components such as farmer education and livestock insurance to cover Dhole kills.
Highlights
The Dhole Cuon alpninus (Pallas, 1811) is commonly known as the Asiatic Wild Dog, Indian Wild Dog, or Red Dog
Depending on the regions where it is found in Bhutan the Dhole is referred to as ‘phaw’, ‘rom’, ‘tsawaring’, and ‘ban-kukur’
The Dhole is native to Asia, and it is currently found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand
Summary
The Dhole Cuon alpninus (Pallas, 1811) is commonly known as the Asiatic Wild Dog, Indian Wild Dog, or Red Dog. Distribution and habitat use of Dhole in western Bhutan There is currently no reliable information on Dhole distribution and habitat use in Bhutan, cases of livestock depredation by Dholes are periodically documented.
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