The diet, prey selection, and activity of dholes (Cuon alpinus) in northern Laos

Abstract

Abstract Although Southeast Asia is one of the last strongholds of endangered dholes (Cuon alpinus), or Asiatic wild dogs, little is known about dhole ecology in this region. We used scat collections, prey surveys, and camera-trap data to determine the diet, prey selection, and activity of dholes in a national protected area in northern Laos. Results showed that dhole diets were dominated by ungulates (87% of biomass consumed), with additional prey including other carnivores (6%) and rodents 7% of biomass consumed. Dholes were not random in their consumption of ungulates, because muntjac (20–28 kg) and sambar (185 kg) were selectively consumed over medium-sized (75- to 85-kg) ungulates. Dholes were almost exclusively diurnal, and their activity pattern was significantly different (all P < 0.003) from that of all ungulate species except wild pigs (Sus scrofa). Overall, prey selection ...