Elusive Return: Asiatic Wild Dog Spotted Again in Kaziranga Landscape

The Asiatic wild dog, or dhole (Cuon alpinus)—a shy and endangered carnivore long thought to have vanished from Assam’s Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape (KKAL)—has been photographed again after years of absence, signaling a potentially important revival for the species in the region. A study conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa, presents camera-trap evidence of the dhole in the Amguri animal corridor, one of the critical wildlife linkages in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot.

Why in News?

A new scientific study published in June 2025 reports the first photographic confirmation of the dhole in KKAL in years. Conducted by researchers from WII, the discovery holds significant implications for wildlife conservation, particularly for lesser-known carnivores. The sighting suggests that the species may have survived undetected, reviving hopes for its long-term survival in northeastern India.

Key Findings and Significance

• Study Team: Mujahid Ahamad, Jyotish Ranjan Deka, Priyanka Borah, Umar Saeed, Ruchi Badola, and Syed Ainul Hussain from WII.
• Location: Dhole captured in the Amguri animal corridor of the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape (KKAL), Assam.
• Camera Trap Recordings: Six sightings of a single dhole; 375 metres from NH-37, 270 metres from the nearest human habitat.

Corridors Studied in KKAL

• Panbari
• Haldhibari
• Kanchanjuri
• Amguri

Ecological Importance

• Dholes indicate healthy forest ecosystems and are sensitive to habitat disturbances.
• Their return emphasizes the importance of preserving animal corridors, not just for charismatic megafauna like tigers and elephants but for lesser-known species as well.

Static and Background Information

• Scientific Name: Cuon alpinus
• IUCN Status: Endangered
• Behavior: Social carnivores that form packs of up to 30 but can also hunt solo.
• Distribution: Found in parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
• Historical Range: Now reduced to less than 25% of its former distribution due to:

Habitat loss and fragmentation

• Prey depletion
• Retaliatory killings

Conservation Implications

• This rediscovery acts as a “flagship conservation alert”.
• Forest corridors like Amguri are crucial for gene flow, safe passage, and species recovery.
• Urgent need for protection, restoration, and monitoring of such corridors.