Dholes (Cuon alpinus)

[TheHyenid76]

Information regarding dhole predation on Banteng


Photographic record of Dholes predating on a young Banteng in southwestern Java, Indonesia LINK

Abstract

A long-term camera-trap study of the Javan Rhinoceros in 2013 in Ujung Kulon Natonal Park (UKNP), Indonesia, allowed us to document the first photographic evidence of Dholes preying on a young Banteng and other species. Our photographs suggested that Dholes get in large packs to predate on Banteng and commonly separate young from adults when attacking the young. Future research should examine the Dhole diet and interspecific relationships between Dhole and Banteng to gain a better understanding of the ecological impacts of endangered predators on endangered prey in UKNP.

Description of the dhole attack on young banteng.

"On 28 May 2013 at 0743–0757 h, a camera recorded a young Banteng, accompanied by three adult females, attacked and preyed upon by more than 15 adult Dholes (Image 1). On 24 September 2013 at 1700–1712 h, another camera recorded more than six adult Dholes trying to kill a young Banteng (accompanied by 3 adult females) in the same pattern as before (Image 2)."

Dholes are capable of killing adult bantengs. In some areas they regularly consume Banteng but they most attack calves. Dholes can also prey and kill water buffalo.

"These photographs indicate that Dholes are capable of predating on large-sized ungulates such a Banteng, although probably mostly young of this species."

"In Cambodia, although Dholes preferred Muntjac, a small-sized ungulate, they also regularly consumed Banteng (18% of diet), indicating Dholes are capable of sometimes preying on large-sized ungulates (Kamler et al. 2020). Similarly, in Baluran Natonal Park, East Java, Dholes were found to consume mostly large sized ungulates including Banteng and Water Buffalo Bubalus bubalis (Nurvianto et al. 2016). Thus, Dholes in Indonesia and other areas of south-eastern Asia might be more likely to prey on large-sized ungulates compared to Dholes in India, where medium-sized ungulates are more common."

[Image 1. Photographs of predation on a young Banteng by a pack of Dholes on 28 May 2013: 1—a Dhole bites the neck of a young Banteng | 2–4—an adult female Banteng tries to protect the young Banteng | 5—several members of the Dhole pack try to separate the young Banteng from an adult female Banteng | 6–7—Dholes kill a young Banteng on the far side of picture | 8—adult female Bantengs come back to try and save the young Banteng | 9—the process of predation by Dholes is complete which is marked by several pack members resting.]

*This image is copyright of its original author

[Image 2. Photographs of predation on a young Banteng by a pack of Dholes on 24 September 2013: 1—young Banteng accompanied by three adult females | 2—one individual Dhole starts attacking the Banteng | 3–5—an adult female Banteng tries to protect the young Banteng | 6–8—three Dholes are moving forward and attacking Banteng on the far side of picture | 9—another individual Dhole running moving forward on the same side.]

*This image is copyright of its original author

From 'Endangered predators eating too many endangered prey: the dilemma of dholes and banteng in East Java' LINK

Photo of an adult female banteng killed by dholes. 

[Detail of the head of a freshly-killed adult female banteng in Alas Purwo National Park (East Java), showing typical signs of a dhole kill (eye missing with bite marks around eye; bite marks around lips).]

*This image is copyright of its original author

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