DHOLE |
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WESTERN GHATS, INDIA
Landscape-scale surveys in 2007 showed that dholes occupied 14,000 sq. km area in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Similar surveys in the adjacent State of Maharashtra in 2011 showed that dholes occupied around 2700 sq. km area. In 2012, we undertook fine-scale assessments in Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Across these studies and scales, dholes preferred areas with forest cover, protected reserves and higher prey abundance, while avoiding areas with human and livestock activity. Results from these studies are published here and here.
In 2013, we explored how dholes could co-exist with tigers and leopards across multiple locations in the Western Ghats. We found that the three carnivores carefully avoid each other in space and time to co-exist, so long as there is enough prey to sustain them. Results from this study are published here.
Dholes cannot be individually identified based on how they look. In Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, 2014, we got camera-trap photographs of two dholes (in a pack of five) with unique markings. Using spatial locations of these individuals we were able get a crude estimate of the pack's home-range size. Results from this study are published here.
Between 2007 and 2015, we examined occupancy dynamics of the dhole metapopulation in Karnataka, testing the influence of prey species, human disturbance, habitat loss and protected areas on these dynamics. Using this information, we mapped patterns of local extinctions and identified priority locations for dhole conservation. The paper based on this study can be accessed here.
In 2019 we developed genetics-based laboratory methods to identify dhole individuals using their DNA. We then carried out field surveys in Wayanad Sanctuary, Kerala, to collect dhole scats. Combining genetic information of individual dholes with Spatial Capture Recapture models, we generated the first statistically robust estimates of dhole population size and density. The paper based on this study can be accessed here.
In 2021, we undertook a review of methodological approaches to estimate dhole populations across the species range, and applied some of these approaches to a population in northern Western Ghats. The paper based on this study is available from here.
KANHA–PENCH, CENTRAL INDIA
In 2015–2016, we surveyed the forest corridor between Kanha and Pench reserves in central India to understand what ecological factors influence corridor-use by dholes. We also conducted interview surveys of local residents to see if they faced conflict with dholes. Based on these two aspects, we identified spatial locations in the corridor that may be important for dhole conservation. The paper based on this study is accessible here.
In 2015–2016, we surveyed the forest corridor between Kanha and Pench reserves in central India to understand what ecological factors influence corridor-use by dholes. We also conducted interview surveys of local residents to see if they faced conflict with dholes. Based on these two aspects, we identified spatial locations in the corridor that may be important for dhole conservation. The paper based on this study is accessible here.
NORTHEAST INDIA
Northeast India is an important region for dhole conservation because it forms the link between the species' range in south Asia and populations in southeast Asia. We examined dhole distribution in northeast India using information from local informants, researchers, naturalists, media and scientific literature. We also conducted fine-scale assessments of habitat use by dholes in Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram, using camera trap surveys. The paper based on this study can be accessed here.
Northeast India is an important region for dhole conservation because it forms the link between the species' range in south Asia and populations in southeast Asia. We examined dhole distribution in northeast India using information from local informants, researchers, naturalists, media and scientific literature. We also conducted fine-scale assessments of habitat use by dholes in Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram, using camera trap surveys. The paper based on this study can be accessed here.
COUNTRY-WIDE, INDIA
In 2019, we created a comprehensive and strategic roadmap for dhole conservation in India, combining ecological, social, biogeographic and political attributes. We also conducted an exhaustive review of all dhole literature (1874–2019) to identify key gaps in knowledge and propose future directions for conservation research. The paper based on this study is available here.
In 2020, we examined connectivity for dhole meta-populations across India and identified key conservation landscapes. We adopted a multi-scale multi-method approach to inform connectivity conservation for the species in India. The paper based on this study is available here.
In 2019, we created a comprehensive and strategic roadmap for dhole conservation in India, combining ecological, social, biogeographic and political attributes. We also conducted an exhaustive review of all dhole literature (1874–2019) to identify key gaps in knowledge and propose future directions for conservation research. The paper based on this study is available here.
In 2020, we examined connectivity for dhole meta-populations across India and identified key conservation landscapes. We adopted a multi-scale multi-method approach to inform connectivity conservation for the species in India. The paper based on this study is available here.
RANGE-WIDE, GLOBAL
We conducted a range-wide analysis to understand links between dhole diet patterns, livestock predation/consumption and human–dhole interactions. To do so, we first carried out a "re-analysis" of dhole diet from all published papers (1973–2013). We found that (a) dhole diet varied regionally when comparing south India, central India, northeastern region and southeast Asia, (b) livestock consumption by dholes was associated with wild and non-wild prey densities, and number of co-predator species, and (c) people’s negative perception of dholes was associated with pack sizes, levels of livestock depredation and number of sympatric carnivore species. The paper based on this study is available here.
In 2022–23 we conducted a comparative analysis of the competitive interactions between dholes, leopards and tigers across Asia. Examining direct interactions, population-level interactions (in space and time) and diet profiles, we show how three competing carnivores manage to coexist alongside each other across Asia's forestscapes. The paper can be accessed here.
We conducted a range-wide analysis to understand links between dhole diet patterns, livestock predation/consumption and human–dhole interactions. To do so, we first carried out a "re-analysis" of dhole diet from all published papers (1973–2013). We found that (a) dhole diet varied regionally when comparing south India, central India, northeastern region and southeast Asia, (b) livestock consumption by dholes was associated with wild and non-wild prey densities, and number of co-predator species, and (c) people’s negative perception of dholes was associated with pack sizes, levels of livestock depredation and number of sympatric carnivore species. The paper based on this study is available here.
In 2022–23 we conducted a comparative analysis of the competitive interactions between dholes, leopards and tigers across Asia. Examining direct interactions, population-level interactions (in space and time) and diet profiles, we show how three competing carnivores manage to coexist alongside each other across Asia's forestscapes. The paper can be accessed here.
