Dholes (Cuon alpinus)

[Sanju]

Rare whistling dogs spotted in Gujarat after 50 years

After nearly five decades, the rare Asiatic wild dog or dhole has been sighted in the wild in Gujarat.

After nearly five decades, the rare Asiatic wild dog or dhole have been sighed in the wild in Gujarat.

Two dholes was caught in the camera traps set up in Vansda National Park that is spread on 24 sq km hilly terrain of Sahyadri ranges. Officials confirmed to TOI that the last reliable sighting of dhole, also known as the whistling dog due to its peculiar contact call, was sometime in 1970 by Late Maharaja Digveerandrasinhji of Dang.

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"But the the number of individuals and the pack size were unconfirmed. Presence of dhole is an indicator of good quality forest, prey abundance and less human disturbance. The first sighting was on February 20 by a local birder Mohammed Jat who reported this to the forest department,” Dinesh Rabari, deputy conservator of forests, South Dangs division, told TOI.

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Dhole is protected under schedule 2 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It’s also one the International Union For Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of endangered species.

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"We already suspected the presence of dholes here. Field staff found carcass of a spotted deer and the way it was disembodied strengthened our suspicion. Next day, we visited the spot and saw a wild dog was eating that carcass. Camera traps then were placed to observe further activities. Next day, the first image of dhole was captured in Kevdi beat of the park,” Rabari added.

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After confirming presence of two dholes, the department set up a range of camera traps to find out their numbers and retention time along with monitoring their movements, behaviour, food and foraging habit.

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"We are making all efforts to ensure there is no human disturbance in these areas so that they permanently stay here and breed,'' Rabari said.

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