What?
The Dhole Project was launched in 2016. The aim of the project is to conduct research work on dholes to better understand their requirements, and formulate science-based strategies to conserve the species.
The Dhole Project was launched in 2016. The aim of the project is to conduct research work on dholes to better understand their requirements, and formulate science-based strategies to conserve the species.
Where?
The project is being implemented in India. Specifically, most of the studies are focused on the Western Ghats landscape in southern India. But the findings from the project will benefit dhole conservation globally.
The project is being implemented in India. Specifically, most of the studies are focused on the Western Ghats landscape in southern India. But the findings from the project will benefit dhole conservation globally.
How?
The research work relies on a combination of methods and approaches, each of which provides a different and unique understanding of dhole ecology and conservation needs.
The research work relies on a combination of methods and approaches, each of which provides a different and unique understanding of dhole ecology and conservation needs.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
INTERVIEW SURVEYS
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SIGN SURVEYS
SCAT ANALYSES
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GENETIC STUDIES
BEHAVIOR STUDIES
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CAMERA TRAPPING
VOCAL REPERTOIRE
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ACOUSTIC MONITORING
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Why?
The project will generate information that links dhole individuals, packs, populations and meta-populations across the species' geographic range. This can help wildlife managers, conservationists and governments in better managing and conserving dhole populations across their range.
The project will generate information that links dhole individuals, packs, populations and meta-populations across the species' geographic range. This can help wildlife managers, conservationists and governments in better managing and conserving dhole populations across their range.
GLOBAL STATUS
DIET PROFILES
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SPATIAL ECOLOGY
INFORMANT NETWORK
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POPULATION DYNAMICS
HUMAN INTERACTIONS
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SOCIAL DYNAMICS
CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
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DISEASE RISKS
CONTENT ANALYSES
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Progress update
- Mar 2016: The Dhole Project started with a crowd-funding campaign in 2016. The campaign helped raise 2000 USD towards the project. See the donor report for more details.
- Jul 2018: Dhole distribution dynamics in Western Ghats: we examined patterns and determinants of local extinctions.
- Oct 2018: The Dhole Project was showcased at the Wildlife Conservation Network Fall Expo.
- Feb 2019: We were part of the 1st IUCN dhole meeting (Thailand) to assess population and habitat viability.
- May 2019: We initiated the first long-term study to monitor dhole populations in the Western Ghats.
- Jul 2019: Read the multi-part blog series "Disappearing Ghosts": Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.
- Dec 2019: Read the project report for the year 2019.
- Jan 2020: We undertook a global-scale meta-analysis of dhole–livestock–human interactions.
- Jul 2020: We created a strategic road map for conserving dholes in India.
- Feb 2021: Major milestone– we developed genetic, field and analytical methods to estimate dhole numbers in the wild.
- Oct 2021: We mapped dhole connectivity in India, to help retain movement routes for the species across the country.
- Mar 2022: We are back after a COVID-hit hiatus. Our dhole population monitoring work resumes in the Western Ghats.
- Dec 2022: Read the project report for 2021–2022.
- Jan 2023: We launched a new initiative to understand dholes in the agro-forests of India's Western Ghats.
- May 2023: The Dhole Project wrapped up a successful field season across 7 sites in India's Western Ghats and 3 zoos.
- Jun 2023: We were part of the 2nd IUCN dhole meeting (Nepal) to update the Dhole Red List assessment.
- Jul 2023: We studied how dholes compete and coexist with leopards and tigers across Asia.
