Dhole (Cuon Alpinus)
DESCRIPTION
Dholes, (also called Asian Wild Dogs, Indian Wild Dogs, or Red Dogs) can be identified by their rusty red coats, white underbellies, black tipped tails and a short, broad muzzles. They stand at about 20in. tall, 3ft. long. with an additional foot and a half of tail. They weigh in between 25 and 45lbs. These days there are less than 25,000 of these beautiful creatures left in the world.
Dholes, (also called Asian Wild Dogs, Indian Wild Dogs, or Red Dogs) can be identified by their rusty red coats, white underbellies, black tipped tails and a short, broad muzzles. They stand at about 20in. tall, 3ft. long. with an additional foot and a half of tail. They weigh in between 25 and 45lbs. These days there are less than 25,000 of these beautiful creatures left in the world.
HABITAT & RANGE
Dholes are naturally found in deciduous/evergreen/tropical forests, alpine steppe or even grasslands. They can still be found in areas of Asia including but not limited to: India, Tibet, Bhutan, Malaysia, Sumatra, China, etc. Their range is highlighted in red in the picture to the left. |
SPECIES ROLE
Arguably, because Dholes have such a wide diverse diet (anything from insects, fruit, rabbit and deer to large prey like bears and tigers) going extinct would have a server and negative impact on the ecosystem. They have few predators (Tigers and Leopards) and can hunt larger prey due to their teamwork as a pack. Because they are near the top of the food chain, if they go, all that they feed on will be affected as well. They keep smaller prey populations in check such as lizards, rabbits, deer, rodents, birds, etc. If these populations ran rampant, they would strain the resources around them. Birds, rodents, and rabbits all eat seeds and when overpopulated together they could clear out plant species. Rabbits and Deer could pick clean other vegetation as well. Without this necessary plant life, other species that depend on it for nutrients will be endanger of dying out as well.
Arguably, because Dholes have such a wide diverse diet (anything from insects, fruit, rabbit and deer to large prey like bears and tigers) going extinct would have a server and negative impact on the ecosystem. They have few predators (Tigers and Leopards) and can hunt larger prey due to their teamwork as a pack. Because they are near the top of the food chain, if they go, all that they feed on will be affected as well. They keep smaller prey populations in check such as lizards, rabbits, deer, rodents, birds, etc. If these populations ran rampant, they would strain the resources around them. Birds, rodents, and rabbits all eat seeds and when overpopulated together they could clear out plant species. Rabbits and Deer could pick clean other vegetation as well. Without this necessary plant life, other species that depend on it for nutrients will be endanger of dying out as well.
CAUSE OF DECLINE
Dholes are in major decline due to habitat loss (thanks to human development), which in turn caused higher competition for territory and prey. Humans have added to their decline more directly by actively killing them with traps, guns, poison, etc. They are attacked as acts of revenge since they also prey on livestock when near human developments. Finally, their numbers have also been ravished by disease from domesticated animals such as dogs and cats.
Dholes are in major decline due to habitat loss (thanks to human development), which in turn caused higher competition for territory and prey. Humans have added to their decline more directly by actively killing them with traps, guns, poison, etc. They are attacked as acts of revenge since they also prey on livestock when near human developments. Finally, their numbers have also been ravished by disease from domesticated animals such as dogs and cats.
IMPORTANCE
As mentioned above, Dholes are key to maintaining our ecosystem. If they go extinct, the populations that they prey on could go unchecked causing an downward spiral for many species. The plant life that the rabbits, deer and rodents eat will be diminished leaving others with little vegetation to eat or seek shelter in. Birds will have less to build their nests with. Bees will have less flowers to feed off of and in turn pollinate. Therefore less bees can survive and with less bees that means less pollination of our crops and less food for us. On the chain reaction goes until thousands of species are affected and/or go extinct.
CURRENT CONSERVATION
Organizations like "Saving Big Cats and Wild Dogs" are trying to reverse human effects by doing the following:
As mentioned above, Dholes are key to maintaining our ecosystem. If they go extinct, the populations that they prey on could go unchecked causing an downward spiral for many species. The plant life that the rabbits, deer and rodents eat will be diminished leaving others with little vegetation to eat or seek shelter in. Birds will have less to build their nests with. Bees will have less flowers to feed off of and in turn pollinate. Therefore less bees can survive and with less bees that means less pollination of our crops and less food for us. On the chain reaction goes until thousands of species are affected and/or go extinct.
CURRENT CONSERVATION
Organizations like "Saving Big Cats and Wild Dogs" are trying to reverse human effects by doing the following:
- Raise awareness about the species within local communities, as well as with national governments and international organizations.
- Assess the level of conflict between Dholes and people, and implement measures to reduce this conflict
- Maintain and increase their natural prey base.
- Restore and protect forest habitat from further loss and fragmentation.
CALL TO ACTION
You can do your part by donating to help fund the previously mentioned organizations! You can also help by spreading awareness and sharing the importance of such an amazing creature with friends and family! |