GERMANY SHOWS THE WAY

IT DONATED EUR 20 MILLION FOR TIGER CONVERSATION

Courtesy: WWF-India

European power house Germany has shown the way for wildlife conversation by donating a whopping 20 million Euros for the cause of conversation of Tigers. The funds were given to the five year Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme - a scheme run by the International Union of Nature Conversation (IUCN) via the KfW Development Bank. The money will go to the protection of the stripped cats in their wild habitat in countries which were present at the St. Petersberg Tiger Summit in 2010. These include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal and Viet Nam; with our country accounting for more than half of the population of the largest felines, it is expected that a huge chunk of this amount will come here. The major objectives of the scheme are to improvement the management of tiger territories, improve anti-poaching efforts and most importantly, make the local people stakeholders in conservation of the beautiful species. The key takeaway from this are as follows:

(1) Developed countries have to play a bigger role: Like Germany other financial power houses of the world like the US, the UK and France have to do more to protect environment in general and wildlife in particular. Majority of the endangered fauna and flora of the world is found in the continents of Asia, Africa and South America, all of which are densely populated. As such, to reduce the pressure on wildlife and promote its well being, these countries here need more funds. However, most of these nations are developing and are already facing several other issues like social and economic parities which take precedence over animal conservation. It is here that the developed economies can pitch in. Besides, they can use their political influence to force these nations to adopt ways which are less harmful to the environment.

(2) China, you must do more: China should take a lesson from Germany's book. It is well known that the Communist giant is the largest market for tiger products - their bones are used in traditional medicine whereas the skin, canines and nails are status symbols in Tibet. For long, China was not a part of the international efforts to save the tigers. Even today, many felines are bred in farms across the country to fulfill demands of the lucrative trade in tiger parts. It is believed that there are around 1000 big cats in Chinese farms. This needs to be stopped with immediate effect and the animals there need to be rehabilitated.

(3) Lesson for the States back home: Not only China, several Indian states can learn a lot from this episode. Look at the issue regarding the relocation of Asiatic Lion from Gir into other areas of the country. With over 400 lions, the Gir sanctuary is over crowded; besides, the threat of disease is hanging like a sword of Damocles which can drive the species to extinction. As such, there are plans to translocate some of the big cats from here to the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. However, a section of Gujaratis have opposed it saying that these creatures are a heritage of their state. While it is good to love animals, people do have to realize that it is the Asiatic Lion and its survival that is important. Like Germany, states in India too have to rise above regional sentiments and help conserve our endangered wildlife.

IMAGES

(1) Courtesy: WWF-India
WWF-India's work for the Tiger (Link)

WHRISKY, FRISKY, HIPPITY HOP

THE INDIAN PALM SQUIRREL

Funambulus palmarum

I am winding up my first birding experience in NGV with a few snaps of one rodent that you can find everywhere in Bengaluru - the Indian Palm Squirrel. Unlike their distant cousins - rats and mice, these creatures have always been loved by humans, though they are capable of similar kind of destruction. Here in the IT city, the green cover (which is diminishing at an alarming rate) and the ample food supply has led to their proliferation in most parts and Koramangala is no exception. Just walk out to your gallery, terrace or garden and there is a very high possibility that you will find them just running around, chasing one another or making those squeaking sounds. Excellent climbers that they are, I remember this one squirrel who would regularly come to the window of my bedroom on the second floor in Porvorim. With our apartments being surrounded by trees on all sides, we would regularly see them. On one occasion in June 2007, I remember seeing about 15 of these running from our compound to a neighbouring compound across the road. 

These little mammals remind me of this one poem which I had been taught back in school. In fact, it is one of the few poems that I can still recollect. You see I have always loved prose more than poetry. Titled 'The Squirrel', it was a part of my English textbook in the second standard (Maharashtra State Board Syllabus). Our class teacher - Miss Jessie would sing it, one line at a time and the rest of the class would repeat it. In a week, most of the class had memorized the poem. With the syllabus changing so often, nowadays, I sometimes wonder whether it is still being taught in our schools. I hope, it is. The other day, while I was searching for it on the internet, I was surprised to know that the poem is quite popular around the world. Though the lines are childish, I feel that it captures the very qualities that makes the squirrel such a delightful animal - agility, its small size and most importantly - infinite energy.

Whisky, frisky, 

Hippity-hop; 

Up he goes 

To the tree-top! 

Whirly, twirly, 

Round and round ,

Down he scampers 

To the ground. 

Furly, curly 

What a tail! 

Tall as a feather 

Broad as a sail. 

Where's his supper? 

In the shell, 

Snappity, crackity, 

Out it fell.

Chip and Dale - The Rescue Rangers

For more on Birding at the National Games Village, Koramangala:
(1) The First Birding Experience at NGV (Link)
(2) The Pleasant Pandemonium (Link)

FINDING THE DHOLE

IN SEARCH OF THE ELUSIVE CANINES

Credit: Rohit Verma

Continuing with my fascination of the Asian wild dog, I was curious to find out the places in India where they are still found; the forests that reverberate, even today, with whistles as packs relentlessly chase their prey; the woodlands against the backdrop of which these denizens spend their lives and where tiny puppies grow under loving care of the clan members to become some of the most feared predators on the continent. As I have pointed out in my last post, I believe that we Indians need to pioneer the conservation of these dogs, like we have done in the case of the stripped feline. For this to happen, there is an immediate need to identify the regions they still inhabit and tackle the issues that threaten their survival there. It is my firm belief that such an exercise is extremely crucial and the information collected would be basis on which future steps to save them can be taken. The content available on the internet, in this regards, was pretty shoddy, in the sense that, there was no single website where all the existing dhole habitats across the country were mentioned properly. As such, I decided to spend some time going through the available material so as to come up with a list of such protection sites. Considering that I have neither seen these creatures in the wild nor been to any of the national parks or wildlife sanctuaries mentioned below, I have completely relied on the data present in the cyber space. The result of this 'study' is given below. In case you feel that I have missed out anything or the content is inaccurate or it needs to be updated, please feel free to write to me or leave a comment.

It is believed that since they were quite common in the Deccan region in earlier times, the word 'dhole' may have its roots in the Kannada word for this creature - 'tola'. While its numbers have declined here, like in the rest of its former range, southern India still continues to be the stronghold of the species. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve encompassing several protected areas in the 

Credit: Sudhir Shukla

states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu is probably, the best place on earth to spot them. In fact, the critically acclaimed documentaries - 'The Pack' and 'Wild Dog Diaries', shot by the duo of Kruparkar and Senani which provide deep insights into their lives, were filmed here. The national parks of Bandipur and Nagarhole, near Mysore are magnets for Asian wild dog enthusiasts. Resorts along the Kabini river that flows through these tiger reserves are very popular with the tourists and these canids are high on their agenda while on their trips. The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and the Mukurthi National Park in neighboring Tamil Nadu as well as the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and the Silent Valley National Park in Kerala are the other places where they are common. There are several reasons for their relative abundance in this region. Firstly, with the Nilgiris being a protected site, the animals that are found here are safe from most kinds of persecution they face elsewhere. Besides, the lush green jungles and abundance of prey are the other factors that have helped their cause. However, the man-animal conflict, competition from the big cats for prey and diseases like rabies, canine distemper etc contacted from feral dogs are the major threats to their survival here.

The Munnar Forest Division in Kerala administered by the State Forest Department - an amalgamation of many wildlife parks, sanctuaries and reserve forests around the famous hill station, has a significant dhole population too. Besides, the national parks of Pampadum Shola and Eravikulam in this part of the state, they are also seen in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The Chimmony 

Credit: K P Krishnan

Wildlife Sanctuary in Thrissur district is also known to be a home to these canines. In Karnataka again, like in most places throughout the country, these hounds seem to be fairly abundant in the sites designated for the protection of their bete noire (the Tiger) like the Anshi Dandeli National Park in the district of North Kanara, the Kudremukha National Park and the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in Chikmaglur. Other protected areas in the state that still boast of their presence include Pushpagiri and Bramhagiri (Kodagu), Bhimgad (Belgaum) and Biligiriranga Hills or BR Hills (Chamarajanagara). In Tamil Nadu, they are found in the renowned Kalakkad-Mudanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tirunelveli  district and the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park (IGWLS&NP) in Coimbatore & Tirupur. Surprisingly, among all the southern states, very little is known about the wild dogs in Andhra Pradesh. They are said to be common in the Sri Venkateshwara National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary close to the holy town of Tirupati and the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in central Andhra. Their presence in this state has also been recorded in the Etunagaram Wildlife Sanctuary and the Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary in the districts of Warangal and Medak respectively.

Another popular dhole habitat in the country is the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur district in eastern Maharashtra. Reports from there suggest that these animals are doing very well. Other places in the state where one can still find them are the Gugamal National Park in Amaravati, and the wildlife sanctuaries of Bor in Wardha and Nagzira in Bhandara. The

Credit: Ramki Sreenivasan / Conservation India

2010 census of wild animals in the small state of Goa has revealed that several dholes exist in the forests here, especially in the Mahadei Sanctuary. This has brought cheers to many as in the previous count carried out in the year 2006, no evidence to support the presence of these mammals was ever found. Madhya Pradesh is known for its faunal diversity and these canines are known to occur in several areas spread across the state. These include the Kanha National Park in Mandla  & Balaghat, the Satpura National Park in Hoshangabad which is a constituent of the Panchmari Biosphere Reserve, the Pench National Park in Chhindwara & Seoni, the Ratapani Tiger Reserve in Raisen, the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Mandsaur & Nimach and the Noradehi Sanctuary which is spread over the districts of  Sagar, Damoh, Narsinghpur & Raisen. In neighboring Chhattisgarh too, they are seen in several protected areas - the Indravati National Park in Dantewada, the Ghasi Das National Park in Surguja & Koriya, the Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary in Bilaspur, the wildlife sanctuaries of Udanti and Gomarda in Raipur, the Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary in Dhamtari, the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Mahasamund and the Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary in Surajpur.

In the east, the once thriving dhole population has been decimated leading to its extinction in most places. However, there are still a few pockets where they are still found. News reports from Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary near Jamshedpur indicate that they have made a comeback here after a gap of several decades. Besides, they are also occasionally seen in the Palamau Tiger Reserve (Palamu) and the Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary (Dhanbad) in Jharkhand, the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (West Champaran) in 

Credit: Sanket Reddy

Bihar and the Chandanka Elephant Sanctuary (Bhubaneshwar) and the  Similipal Tiger Reserve (Mayurbhanj) in Orissa. The decline in the number of tigers in the north eastern part of India has witnessed the revival of theses canids in some areas here. In West Bengal, they are known to exist in protected areas in the Jalpaiguri district like the Buxa Tiger Reserve, the Jaldpara National Park and the Gorumara National Park. In Assam, they are seen in the Manas National Park spread over the districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksia, Udalgiri & Darrang and the Nameri National Park in Sonitpur. Other areas where they are sighted include the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary (West Sikkim) and the Khangchendzonga National Park (North Sikkim) in Sikkim; the Pakkae Tiger Reserve (East Kameng) and the Namdapha National Park (Changlang) in Arunachal Pradesh; the Gumati Wildlife Sanctuary and Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary in South Tripura; the Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary and Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary in Nagaland; the Shiroi Community Forest and Anko Hills (Ukrul), the Bunning Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamenglong) and the Jiri Marku Sanctuary (Imphal East & Tamenglong) in Manipur and finally the Garo hills in Meghalaya. The man-animal conflict and the depletion of precious habitat are the biggest threat to them here.

For more on the dholes

(1) The Whistling Hunters - The Asian Wild Dog or Dhole (Link)
(2) Project Dhole - The Need of the Hour (Link)

SOURCES

(1) Wikipedia - (Link)

(2) Biodiversity - Mohan Pai's articles (Link)

(3) Governance Now - Happy Find: Wildlife Census reports more leopards, wild dogs in Goa (Link)

(4) Prudent Networks - Wildlife Tourism of Chhattisgarh (Link)

(5) The Telegraph - Tigers vanish, dholes take charge (Link)

(6) Indya Tour - Garumara National Park (Link)

(7) Livestock Production Management - Major wildlife sanctuaries and reserves of Orissa (Link)

(8) Maps of India - Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary (Link)

(9) World Wildlife Adventures - Wildlife Parks in Assam (Link)

(10) The Aaranyak Blog - A Pack of six! (Link)

(11) World Wildlife Adventures - Wildlife Parks in Sikkim (Link)

(12) Greener Pastures - About Arunachal Pradesh (Link)

(13) Tourism - Pakkae Tiger Reserve (Link) 

(14) Birds of India - Nagaland Trip (Link)

(15) Tripura Tourism Development Corporation - Gomati Wildlife Sanctuary (Link)

(16) Tripura Forest Department - Perspective Plan for Development of Forestry Sector (2007-08 to 2012-13) (Link)

(17) Important Bird Areas in India - Manipur (Link)

IMAGES

(1) Credit: Rohit Verma (Link)
Original: Rohit Verma - 'Dhole Pair 3' by Rohit Verma

(2) Credit: Sudhir Shukla (Link)
Original: India Nature Watch - 'Pack of Dholes - Out Hunting' by Sudhir Shukla

(3) Credit: K P Krishnan (Link)
Original: India Nature Watch - 'Dhole - Indian Wild Dog' by K P Krishna

(4) Credit: Ramki Sreenivasan / Conservation India (Link)
Original: Wild Ventures - 'Dhole or Indian Wild Dog' by Ramki Sreenivasan

(5) Credit: Sanket Reddy (Link)
Original: India Nature Watch - 'Just Another Dhole Image - Kabini' by Sanket Reddy

PROJECT DHOLE

THE NEED OF THE HOUR

Credit: Ramesh Anantharaman

Four decades ago, the population of the biggest of India’s famed big cats – the Royal Bengal tiger had fallen to just 1,800 – a drastic decline of about 95% since the turn of the century when there were approximately 30,000 of these in the jungles of the country. In fact, all the people familiar with the political conditions unfolding in the sub-continent during these years and its direct impact on the ecology will hardly be surprised by this statistic. When the British held their sway over the region, it was the dream of every servant of the Raj – from the Viceroy to a lowly bureaucrat to be a part of the renowned, or should we say, notorious, hunting trips – the favorite pass time of the English elite, generally organized by the princes, keen to impress their colonial masters in return of favorable deals and grander titles. While a number of species including lions, leopards, cheetahs, antelope and several kinds of birds were hunted, no other animal was as prized as the stripped feline whose trophies decorated the homes of the rich and the powerful in Britain and other parts of the western world.

In the post-independence era, the killings continued to fuel the demands of international illegal trade in tiger products, most notably, the skin – a symbol of style and status and the bones which have considerable value in ancient Chinese medicine. Besides, the need for more land to satisfy an ever growing human population and facilitate industrial growth led to the destruction of thousands of acres of virgin woodlands. It was at this critical juncture, when their numbers had dropped below two thousand, that the then PM Indira Gandhi decided to act and after consulting matter experts and conservationists, launched one of the most popular conservation program of all times – Project Tiger. Though it is true that this scheme has not been as successful as it was expected to be during the time of its inaugural, considering the persistent allegation of inflated figures and the fiascoes of Sariska (2004) and Panna (2009) reserves, there is no doubt that it is a major landmark in the protection of any fauna across the world. 

Like the tiger in 1973, another of our top predator, which has been an integral part of our forests for ages, is today, staring at the brink of extinction. The Asian wild dog, commonly known as the dhole is a highly social canine, native to the woodlands of eastern and southern Asia. Gifted with an agile yet sturdy body, and living in a society that even cares for the young and the vulnerable, they are the masters of their territories, possessing a strike rate better than many of its other, much more 'high-profile' neighbors. Unfortunately, following centuries of persecution and an inexorable 'witch hunt', it has been listed as ‘Endangered’ by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) with reports indicating that there are only about 2500 mature individuals left in the wild, out of which more than half are found in our country. Its range, which once stretched from Russia in the north to the islands of Java and Sumatra in the south, from India in the west to the Korean peninsula in the east, has shrunk exponentially in size, reducing it to the confines of a few pockets, scattered in southern and south-eastern Asia.

While it is protected under the Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, there is certainly more to be done in this regard considering that it has suffered from years of persecution for a variety of reasons, sometimes as trivial as to safeguard the numbers of antelope which were popular game animals during the colonial era from being preyed upon by these canids. Though killings have become close to negligible over the years, the odds are still stacked against them, thereby warranting the need for much stricter measures to be put into place for their conservation. With time running out and the threats for their survival still looming large, it is imperative that the government formulates a policy on the lines of the Project Tiger, customized for the dholes. Of course, this idea may seem to be little weird for some, others may dismiss it as ridiculous but I strongly believe that such a step is mandatory if we want the future generation to witness this ‘spectacle of nature’. Below, I have tried to justify my stand on this issue and hopefully, after going through it, many more may feel the same, thereby helping the cause.

Credit: Ramki Sreenivasan / Conservation India

Why do we require a Project Dhole? How do you justify spending tax payers hard-earned money on a creature which is not a favorite with the tourists? Probably, the biggest reason for the decline of these dogs is that even today, a majority of the people – especially the urban populace is not aware that such a species exists and in rural regions where the awareness level is relatively higher, there are still innumerable myths and misconceptions about them. The relentless manner in which the packs chase their prey, devouring it even before it dies; is seen by many as 'barbaric'. No wonder that since time immemorial, they are despised, looked upon as symbols of brutality and cruelty. In fact, ancient texts and medieval tales are filled with references to these canines, mostly portraying them, either as the antagonists or their associates. Even today, many of us who have grown up watching Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book remember them as the blood thirsty hounds that invaded the Seeonee hills only to be defeated by the wolves under the leadership of Laila, thanks to Mowgli’s bravery and Kaa’s experience in episodes 40 and 41.

A Project Dhole, for one, will be a great PR exercise for these mammals. With a portion of the total budget for the program being utilized for advertising, the Asian wild dog will be all over print and electronic media, earning them much needed attention. As the knowledge increases, the curiosity will also rise, giving a fillip to more detailed research on these dogs and their behavior. This in turn will reveal new insights into the lives of these elusive creatures, helping in quelling the numerous superstitions surrounding them. Hence more and more people will gradually realize their importance from the ecological point of view. Besides, many will start flocking to sanctuaries and national parks in which these are found, boosting eco-tourism and providing employment opportunities to the locals - giving them enough reasons to refrain from harming these canines. Most importantly, it will definitely contribute in building an army of volunteers keen to protect them, thereby keeping the authorities on their toes and most importantly, facilitate in building consensus against any move or project that can be detrimental to its interest in the future.

Secondly, the dhole, like the tiger is a top predator. Though it may not be the undisputed 'King of the Jungle', it does occupy a prominent position at the higher levels of the food pyramid, controlling the numbers of the herbivores and upholding the principle of the 'Survival of the Fittest' by eliminating the weak and the sick. Moreover, their conservation will also require the safeguarding of their present habitat - the deciduous forests of southern and western India which are also home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. Thus while it is true that the dhole will be the prime beneficiary of this undertaking, it will also be good for the maintaining the fragile balance in ecology, thereby justifying the high costs involved. Also, with less than three thousand of them left in the wild and the threat of epidermic wiping off isolated populations in many regions still hanging over their heads, it is crucial that concrete measures are taken to save them at the earliest. Finally, as we were the first country to ban their persecution, it should be us that should lead the world in the conservation of these hounds.

Credit: K P Krishnan

Considering that the majority of them are found inside Project Tiger reserves, is there a need for a separate scheme specially for the dholes? As I have pointed out earlier, the project will generate a lot of public interest about this species, something which is of paramount importance. Even if it gets half the amount of attention that our national animal has got since the launch of the Project Tiger, it will be prove to be, perhaps, the greatest milestone in the protection of these canids. While it is true that Project Tiger has proved to be a blessing for a variety of plants and animals that are found within the confines of the sites covered under it, including the Asian wild dogs, there is an urgency to do more to get them out of the precarious situation in which they find themselves. Like in the case of the big cats, several other steps are necessary to secure a future for them including a nationwide census using the best methods, identification of the regions where they are found and most importantly, solid research - all of which can only be done, if and only if, the idea is implemented with utmost priority. 

How will the Project Dhole help the mammal? What are the different steps that can help in its revival? The different measures that will be a part of the undertaking and the way it will help the cause include:-

a) Census: Though there are reports indicating that there are about two and a half thousand wild dogs in the world, there are no reports regarding their precise number within India. Probably, the most important task that needs to be taken up as a part of this scheme is the use of latest technology to find out the exact number of this species in the country. The data thus collected will serve as a base for the planning and implementation of any move for their conservation in the future. The stats will also be important to do a comparative analysis to assess the success of the program over the years. 

b) Research: Though they are amongst the top carnivores of Asia, there is meager knowledge about the animal and its behavior. As such, the project will provide a wonderful platform for experts to conduct detailed study, helping provide valuable insights and squash all myths about them. With the dhole being a territorial animal travelling several kilometers each day for patrol and hunting, the radio collar, can come in handy during tracking them. Also, a new research center should be established where data analysis can be done and routinely published in magazines so that it is available to the public. The twin national parks of Bandipur and Nagarhole in southern Karnataka can be the ideal location for this as it is a popular haunt for dhole lovers across the world.

c) Re-introduction: It is a great tragedy that these canines which once roamed freely across most of India, except for the Thar, are today restricted to a few national parks and sanctuaries in different parts of India. The isolated populations are at the risk of threats including forest fires, low prey density and epidermic diseases. As these canids are territorial, the presently available area may not be able to support packs in the future. Thus, there is a need to re-introduce some mature dogs to wilderness where they were formally found and disappeared later due to human activity. Besides, inbreeding within closely related individuals may lead to weak immunity and other genetic disorders in the newborns. Next, some dogs need to be swapped to prevent the stagnation of the gene pool. 

Credit: Manish Varma

d) Resolving the man-animal conflict: In many areas, especially the hills, these dogs are known to regularly invade villages and take away precious livestock. The farmers retaliate by either poisoning their kills or shooting them. The project will focus on ways to minimize the problem and till the time some long term policy is put into place, the farmers must be adequately compensated for their loss. Rehabilitation of people living inside dhole habitat should also be taken up. Also, essential measures can be taken to minimize contacts between these and feral mongrels which are a potential sources of highly contagious diseases.

e) International co-ordination: With the wild dog facing threat of extinction in all countries where it is found, the project can act as a stage for sharing the information that has been collected in different research centers. The information collected under the program can be used to organize similar schemes in other parts of the world. Since the mammal is found in forests along the borders of several ASEAN nations, an international committee is required to protect the animal and fight evils like poaching.

For more on the dholes
(1) The Whistling Hunters - The Asian Wild Dog or Dhole (Link)
(2) Finding the Dhole - In Search of the Elusive Canines (Link)

IMAGES

(1) Credit: Ramesh Anantharaman (Link)

Original: India Nature Watch – Comfortably numb!!!!!!!!! by Ramesh Anantharaman

(2) Credit: Ramki Sreenivasan / Conservation India (Link)

Original: Wild Ventures – 13. Dholes by Ramki Sreenivasan

(3) Credit: K P Krishnan (Link)

Original: Lenscape

(4) Credit Manish Varma (Link)

Original: India Nature Watch – Not for the light hearted - Tadoba by Manish Varma

THE WHISTLING HUNTERS

THE ASIAN WILD DOG or DHOLE

Credit: Clement Francis

They are amongst the most feared predators of the East Asian wild. Though they lack the elegance of the Bengal tiger, the prowess of the Asiatic lion or the stealth of the leopard, their perfect co-ordination and excellent team work make them, arguably, the most successful carnivore of the continent. Armed with a keen sense of smell that helps them track and locate prey; a lean physique with long, slender legs and copious amounts of energy that comes in handy during chases; powerful paws and razor sharp teeth that aid in bringing down and tearing into antelope and bovines many times their size, these mammals, like their African counterparts, boast of a very impressive strike rate which is much better than that of the big cats. Their superb hunting skill apart, what makes them special is their solid social structure which focuses solely on raising the future generation. While they are the undisputed masters of their lands, rather unfortunately, this wonderful species fails to get the attention that other denizens of the jungle seem to get. For centuries they have been associated with brutality and death, have been despised and persecuted, leading to a sharp decline in the population across their range. Ferocious beasts yet caring parents, fearsome foes yet bankable companions, there is certainly more to Asia’s premiere wild hounds than what most of us know about them.

SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION

Belonging to the subfamily Caninae, a part of the family Canidae which is placed in the Order Carnivora, the Asian wild dogs are known as Cuon alpinus in Latin. Earlier, it was believed that the various kinds of so called 'wild dogs' that are found throughout the world were closely related to each other as they were thought to have descended from a common ancestor sometime in the recent past. However, recent evidence seems to suggest otherwise. The similarities between them, both in terms of physical characteristics and general behavior, is today, attributed to a phenomenon called convergent evolution, wherein animals distinctly related to each other develop same features because of staying in eco systems which are very much alike but in different parts of the globe. Macdonald and Ginsberg have identified as many as eleven sub-species of these canines in their book - Foxes, Wolves, Jackals and Dogs: An Action Plan for the Conservation of Canids (1990). These are specified in the table below:

SUB-SPECIES	CHARACTERISTICS	RANGE
C. a. dukhunensis	South of the Ganga River (India)	Reddish coat with black whiskers
C. a. primaevus	Nepal, Bhutan & Sikkim	Longer, redder coat
C. a. laniger	Southern Tibet & Ladakh	Full yellowish-grey coat
C. a. adjustus	North Myanmar & Indo China	Reddish-brown coat
C. a. infuscus	S Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia,Vietnam	Dark brown coat
C. a. lepturus	South of the Yangze River (China)	Reddish coat with thick under fur
C. a. fumosus	Western Szechuan, China & Mongolia	Yellowish-red coat, dark back, grey neck
C. a. hesperius	Eastern Russia & China	Bright yellow, tinted coat, white underside
C. a. alpinus	Eastern Russia including Amur	Tawny red coat, greyish neck
C. a. sumatrensis	Sumatra	Short bright, red coat and dark whiskers
C. a. javanicus	Java	Short bright, red coat

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The African wild dogs are much larger and heavier as compared to the dholes - a common name for their counterparts in Asia. Both have rounded ears. Males are bigger than the females. Gender identification is difficult even from short distances as the males do not have a clearly visible prepuce. Besides, there are certain aspects that make them unique among all canids. The most well known being the dental formula of (3.1.4.2)/(3.1.4.2). The six molars, each with a single cusp seem to have evolved for shearing wool. Also, the females have more teats as compared to other members of the canine family. Communication plays a key role in their daily lives. A variety of calls have been recorded, the most common being the whistle, which is made while traversing thick jungles, thereby earning them the nickname of ‘Whistling dogs’. Interestingly, they do not bark or howl.

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Credit: Tarique Sani

Probably, the most important weapon in their arsenal is the closely knit society which is built on lines similar to that of the African dogs but varies from the wolves in numerous ways. Biologists are of the opinion that these creatures started living together to boost survival rate in a habitat that they share with other 'high profile' neighbors. Each pack, with numbers between 3 to 20 on an average, has a dominant pair which seldom engages in any show of authority. This may be due the fact that unlike the latter, the dholes live in regions which can sustain them round the year. The group led by the alpha male, patrols its territories regularly and fights do occur when two clans the border marking their respective areas. Not so surprisingly, it’s the total strength that determines the winner eventually.

They live in subterranean dens, which may be simple burrows or a complex network with multiple entry and exit points. The right to breed is the exclusive privilege of the leading pair. The litter consists of four to eight pups on an average. Protecting them from all sorts of danger is the collective responsibility of all members. They are suckled for the first two months during which the mother stays back while the rest forage for food. The responsibility to feed her is borne by others. From the third month, adults start regurgitating meat for the young ones at the den site. Sometime later they start joining the clan on its daily trips. They may live for ten to sixteen years in captivity.

HUNTING AND FEEDING

Another fascinating thing about these hounds is their disciplined approach to hunting which is a treat to the eyes of any nature lover. It usually takes place during the dawn. Though chases are generally short, they may even last for hours in some cases. While on pursuit, one member takes the lead whereas the others hang around, taking turns as the individual in front gets tired. They are known to drive herbivores into water bodies where their movement is hindered, giving these dogs, who are also pretty good swimmers, an added advantage. Once the prey is caught, one dhole will grab its nose while others will bite into the back and legs, forcing it on the ground. They kill by disemboweling and start devouring their victims even before it dies. 

As they are found across much of eastern Asia, there is little surprise over the different kind of species they eat. Local ungulates constitute a major portion of their diet. They also consume lizards and fowls. In India, they prefer chital (Spotted deer). Other animals that regularly feature on their menu include sambar, nilgai (Blue bull) and wild boar. One of the reasons for them to be so successful is the diversity of fauna they kill which includes small mammals like rats and hare, medium sized ones like antelope and occasionally, even bovines like gaur. Besides, like most canines they are omnivorous and eat fruits and other vegetable matter readily. This certainly gives them an edge over their competitors.

RANGE: PAST AND PRESENT

Once upon a time, they were seen from Russia in the north to Indonesia in the south, from the CIS in the west to Siberia in the east, encompassing vast areas of central, southern, eastern and south-eastern Asia. They were sighted in a variety of habitats including the dry deciduous jungles of India, the thick ever green forests of Indo China, meadows of Siberia and even the mountains around the Pamir knot. According to British writers, the wild dogs were widespread in south Asia, except for the Thar Desert. Indiscriminate persecution has reduced them to few pockets in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. They may still occur in Bangladesh. It has become extremely rare in China and North Korea. In south-east Asia, they have been observed lately in Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Sadly though, with no reports from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Mongolia for quite some time, it is assumed that the species is extinct here.

REASONS FOR DECLINE

Credit: Sharath

Unfortunately, since the earliest times, people throughout Asia and Europe seem to have harbored a deep sense of hatred towards them. From medieval tales to Rudyard Kipling’s stories, these creatures have always been depicted as bloodthirsty hounds, equally feared by men and beasts. Myths and misconceptions about them are still galore, the most common being that they urinate in the eyes of their victim to make them blind prior to killing them. Over the years, there has been a rapid decline in their count. This is primarily because for a considerable amount of time, there was meager knowledge about them and the role they play in the eco system. With just 2,500 mature individuals left in the wild, they have been classified as ‘Endangered’ in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List.

Though they were never considered to be a popular game animal in the British era, sport hunters were not averse to shooting them or their puppies whenever they encountered them while on their infamous expeditions. In 1920s, as the game in the sub-continent started becoming increasingly difficult, partly due to trophy taking and partly due to industrialization, the Englishmen put the blame squarely on the wild dogs, who by this time had got a reputation of being successful predators. During the next few decades, as bounties were placed on them, thousands were exterminated from various parts of the region. In the northern areas including Russia, China and the CIS countries, they were persecuted for their fur, which although not considered the best, does have considerable value in some places. In Bhutan, they were nearly wiped off by poisoning in a bid to safeguard cattle under a program which had government backing.

Besides, developing countries like India, China and Vietnam which are among the fastest growing economies in the world. The financial prosperity has led to clearing of vast tracts of forests to make way for farms or housing projects. As such, wilderness supporting lots of species, including these canines, is disappearing at a rapid rate. Habitat fragmentation is also a major concern. Another factor that has adversely affected their numbers is that the herbivore density in many places they inhabit is very low. Finally, they are particularly susceptible to diseases like rabies and canine distemper which are passed from feral dogs which are known to socialize freely with them, sometimes even feeding from the same carcass.

They mostly refrain from attacking humans and prefer staying away from settlements. However, they share their territories with other tertiary consumers, namely tigers and leopards. Both these cats will easily over power a solitary dhole that crosses their path. A tiger can even annihilate a small group at once. Nonetheless, their bravery can be inferred from the fact that a medium or a large pack can harass theses felines, sometimes even causing their death. The cubs and infants are particularly at risk in this three way contest. As compared to tigers, they seem to take a more aggressive stance towards leopards, probably because both seem to hunt similar kind of animals.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Credit: Ramki Sreenivasan / Conservation India

Though their persecution in India continued post-independence, the tide started turning in their favor when they were accorded 'protected' status under the Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972). Thus India became the first country to save them. Today, over half of all wild dholes are found here. Ironically, a majority of these are found in reserves notified for saving their nemesis - the tiger. They are found in sanctuaries in southern and western India where antelope population is sufficiently huge. The twin national parks of Bandipura and Nagarhole in Karnataka, the Munnar Forest Division and the Periyar Reserve in Kerala and the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra are the best places see them. They are also sighted in few pockets in central, eastern and north-eastern regions.

Lately, there has been a considerable volume of scientific research done on the behavior of these canids in Southern India. However, when compared to other, so-called 'charismatic' carnivores, there is a lot to be done here. Like in the case of the big cats, the government, in consultation with canine experts and conservationists needs to formulate policies on the lines of Project Tiger, aimed at saving the dogs. A census, using latest technology needs to be taken with utmost priority. The results of such an exercise would provide a perfect base for the successful implementation of any planned measure in the near future. Educational programs, especially aimed at children will aid in dispelling myths and help people realize their importance.

In the Himalayan countries of Nepal and Bhutan, the major threat to the survival of the species is the man-animal conflict. At a time when wild prey is becoming rather difficult to find, the dholes raid villages and take away precious livestock which are an important aspect of the local economy. Farmers retaliate by either shooting or poisoning them, leading to the destruction of entire packs. In Nepal, they are included under Schedule I of the National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act (NPWCA) of 1973. Nonetheless, it has made little difference and the mammal is said to be on the brink of extinction in the country. Ambika Khatiwada, a graduate from the Institute of Forestry in Nepal and his team have been studying them in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) along the China border for some time and trying hard to garner public support for their cause.

In early 1990s, it was believed that the wild dogs had completely disappeared from Bhutan after hundreds were killed by farmers and herdsmen. Luckily though, they have made a comeback. A team led by Dr Jan Kamler - a wild canine expert from Kansas, which had the support of the Royal Family has collected reliable evidence of their existence in at least three sanctuaries within the kingdom. The findings of the team have thrown light on their importance in the ecology. It is high time that the Bhutanese lawmakers includes them in the list of completely protected animals under the Forest and Nature Conservation Act of 1995. Besides, in both of these countries, community based initiatives like patrolling and safeguarding cattle need to be taken up. Till the time a long term policy is put into place, the officials should consider adequately compensating the locals for each livestock taken by these creatures to prevent retaliation.

In Myanmar, they have been seen in eleven different areas throughout the country. With tigers being exterminated from most parts of the junta ruled state, dholes and leopards have become the new overlords. Kate Jenks, a scholar from US has been carrying out extensive studies on these animals in neighboring Thailand. Using camera trapping, she along with her team has found their existence in many sites here. They have become extremely rare in Malaysia where sightings have become few and far between. They still occur in parts of Sumatra and Java in Indonesia. But there is no proper legislation aimed at saving them in the four south-east Asian nations mentioned above. A particular cause for concern is that as many as seven of the eleven forests in Myanmar where this species has been spotted have not yet been designated as preservation areas. Also, there is an immediate need to recognize places outside wildlife parks, both in Thailand and Malaysia where they may still exist so that steps can be taken to preserve them. It is high time that the authorities here plan and put into action an effective strategy to conserve them.

In China, the dholes are relatively common in southern Tibet. It is highly probable that they may have been wiped off from most other parts of the nation except for the Jiangxi province in the south-west, from where a capture was reported. Nonetheless, they are listed under Section II of the Chinese Wildlife Protection of 1988. The exact status of these or for that matter, most animals, in North Korea is unclear. In Indo China, the major causes for concern are habitat fragmentation and starvation due to low density of herbivores. There are no proper laws to tackle persecution in this part of the world and in countries where legislation exist, they seem to be ambiguous. In Vietnam where they are protected under Decree 18/HDBT, there are spotted in jungles and sometimes even around small towns in the interior. In the Nam Et-Phou Louey (NEPL) Conservation Area in the north Laos, Dr. Kamler is conducting a researching on these canids. They are known to exist in at least four wildlife parks inside Cambodia. The Srepok Wilderness Area, dubbed as 'the Serengeti of SE Asia' is a home to many endangered species.

KRUPAKAR & SENANI: THE DHOLE MEN

Credit: V Ram Narayan

No article on the wild dogs is complete without mentioning the names of two popular wildlife photographers - Krupakar B S and Senani Hegde, who have spent years studying these creatures in the states of Karnataka and Kerala. Hailing from Mysore, their documentary entitled 'Wild Dog Diaries', which runs for 47 minutes, provides a deep insight into the lives of dholes. Released in 2006, the film which was shown on the National Geographic Channel (NGC) has received both, public admiration and wide critical acclaim. It was screened at wildlife festivals in Japan, France and Singapore, bagging numerous awards. Another masterpiece from the duo is the 150 minute film - 'The Pack' which has been shot over a period of 10 years in the Nilgiri Range. It is the bible for everyone who is interested in these canines. Shot for Discovery Communications and later telecast on Animal Planet in 2010, it is the first Asian film to win the prestigious 'Green Oscar'. 

In the late nineties, keeping in mind their dismal numbers and depleting habitat, several scholars had predicted that these hounds would not see the turn of the new millennium unless drastic measures were put into place. In spite of a lack of political will to save them, these gritty mammals have defied the odds and in countries like India, they seem to be doing better. While the battle has been won, the war still continues. It has been mainly due to the efforts put in by people like Krupakar, Senani and others across the globe that such a miracle has been possible. And most importantly, awareness among the masses regarding them and the need to save them has only helped the cause. It is very important that we keep up this momentum and help protect these canines. They have suffered for centuries due to human activities and it is only fair we rectify our mistakes by doing all what we can to conserve our best friends from the jungles

For more on the dholes

(1) Project Dhole - The Need of the Hour (Link)

(2) Finding the Dhole - In Search of the Elusive Canines (Link)

SOURCES

(1) Wikipedia - Dholes (Link)

(2) IUCN - Canids: Foxes, Wolves, Jackals and Dogs (Link)

(3) WWF Global - Dhole (Link)

(4) Kate Jenks (Link)

(5) Wild CRU - Ecology and Conservation of Dholes in South East Asia (Link)

(6) Masth Mysore - Krupakar-Senani's documentary "The Pack" nominated for BBC Wildscreen Festival (Link)

(7) Crypto Mundo -  Discovering the Dhole (Link)

IMAGES

(1) Credit: Clement Francis (Link)                     
Original: India Nature Watch - Dholes by Clement Francis

(2) Credit: Tarique Sani (Link)

Original: Flickr - Dholes at Tadoba by Tarique Sani

(3) Credit: Sharath (Link)

Original: Isharath - Kabini!

(4) Credit: Ramki Sreenivasan / Conservation India (Link)
Original: Wild Ventures - 10. Dholes by Ramki Sreenivasan

(5) Credit: V Ram Narayan (Link)
Original: India Nature Watch - Wild Dogs with kill by V Ram Narayan