Why in News
28th May is celebrated as World Dhole Day to raise awareness and promote the conservation of dholes—endangered wild canids critical to maintaining forest ecosystem balance.
About Dholes
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuon alpinus |
| Common Name | Dhole / Asiatic Wild Dog / Whistling Dog |
| Appearance | Auburn fur, black bushy tail, amber eyes, upright rounded ears |
| Social Structure | Live in packs of 2 to 25 members |
| Vocal Communication | Use yaps, growls, and unique whistles to coordinate, hence the name “whistling dogs” |
Habitat & Distribution
| Region | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Forests, shrublands, and mountainous regions |
| Indian Range | – Western and Eastern Ghats – Central Indian Landscape – Northeastern India (Notable site: Valparai plateau in the Western Ghats) |
Feeding & Reproduction
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Diet | Carnivorous, hunt in cooperative groups of 3–5 |
| Hunting Behavior | Lack the jaw strength to kill quickly—consume prey alive |
| Breeding | Dominant monogamous pair per pack; rest of the group helps rear pups |
Conservation Status
| Convention / Law | Status |
|---|---|
| IUCN Red List | Endangered |
| CITES | Appendix II |
| Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (India) | Schedule II |
Prelims MCQs
- Which of the following statements about dholes is/are correct?
- They are solitary carnivores and prefer open grasslands.
- They use whistles and other vocal sounds to communicate while hunting.
- Dholes have strong jaws to deliver a fatal bite to their prey.
Select the correct answer:
a) 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: a) 2 only
