Dholes (Cuon alpinus)

[Ngala]

Distribution of the dhole in its northern range limits in the Western Ghats, India Punjabi et al., 2017

Abstract:
"The dhole Cuon alpinus is an Endangered carnivore, whose population status is hitherto undetermined across most of its range. We update information on dhole distribution patterns in the northern Western Ghats, India, which forms the northern range limits for the species in the region. We use two sources of data: a landscape-scale (7000km 2) habitat occupancy study (from 2010-11), and opportunistic camera-trap photographic records (2012-15) from the region. Estimated occupancy (?) was found to be 0.65 (± 0.18) in the surveyed landscape. Presence of protected areas, high percentage forest cover and availability of preferred prey (sambar Rusa unicolor, muntjac Muntiacus muntjac) were positive influences, while human disturbance showed a negative effect on dhole occupancy. The dhole was photo-captured in 14 camera-trap locations outside protected areas, of which 11 locations were outside the area surveyed in the occupancy study. The dhole has likely been extirpated from further north of our study landscape in the Western Ghats, indicating the need to corroborate range maps through renewed field assessments of this carnivore. Findings from this study can serve as a critical component in conservation of the dhole in one of their largest global populations." Reply