Presence Of Asiatic Wild Dogs In Central Asia After 30 Years

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A new study has reported the presence of dholes or Asiatic wild dogs (Cuon alpinus) in the high mountains of Central Asia nearly 30 years after their presence was last recorded.
The animals have been discovered in the Bek-Tosot Conservancy in the Osh region of southern Kyrgyzstan, a few kilometres from the Tajik border. It lies in the Pamir mountain range.

Research Findings

The authors wrote in New distribution record of dhole from southern Kyrgyzstan using non-invasive genetic sampling, published in Canid Biology and Distribution:
It is believed that this is a new record of the purportedly extirpated dhole in the Chon-Alai district and marks a northward extension of its previously published distribution by approximately 1,000 km.
The researchers also noted that their non-invasive surveys had detected snow leopards, Eurasian lynx, brown bears and red foxes.
This, they said, suggested “sufficient prey abundance existed to support a diverse carnivore community, including the exclusively carnivorous dhole.”

The paper added that “there had been no confirmed reports (of dholes) in more than 30 years from the Russian Federation, Mongolia, Kazakhstan (formerly in the Altai and Tian Shan mountains), Kyrgyzstan (formerly in the Tian Shan and Pamir mountains), Afghanistan (formerly in Pamir Mountains), Tajikistan (formerly in Pamir Mountains), or Uzbekistan (formerly in Tian Shan Mountains).”

About Dholes

Dhole (Cuon alpinus) is a wild carnivorous animal and is a member of the family Canidae and the class Mammalia.
They are also known as Asian wild dogs.
Historically, dholes purportedly occurred throughout southern Russia, all across central Asia, south Asia and southeast Asia.
According to recent research and current distribution maps, they are restricted to south and southeast Asia, with the northernmost populations in China.
In India, they are found in three clusters across India namely the Western and Eastern Ghats, central Indian landscape and North East India.
Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh rank high in the conservation of the endangered dhole in India, according to a study (2020).
IUCN List of Threatened Species: Endangered
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix II
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 : Schedule II
Dholes play an important role as apex predators in forest ecosystems.

Till date, monitoring their populations has proven to be a challenge because dholes do not have visible distinguishing features such as stripes or spots on their pelage.
Informed guesstimates suggest that there may be 1000–2000 adult, mature dholes left globally, with India hosting the largest population.

Population Decreasing

Ongoing habitat loss: Due to deforestation and fragmentation of forest corridors.
Depletion of prey base: Ungulates are the main prey of dholes whose population is rapidly decreasing due to excessive hunting and habitat loss.
Persecution due to livestock predation and disease transfer from domestic and feral dogs.

So how did the population discovered now survive undetected?

The researchers suggested a hypothesis. The location of the new population is adjacent to the Tajik National Park, Tajikistan.
Given the extreme remoteness of this region and the lack of human habitation in the northern portion of the park between the Academy of Sciences and Pamir-Alai Ranges, it is possible that dholes have persisted in a relic population or become re-established without detection.

What does this mean for dhole conservation in Asia?

High Asia is important for snow leopards. The confirmed presence of another apex predator (dhole), is certainly good news.
This also represents a likely range-edge presence record. Conservation efforts still need to be prioritised in locations where viable populations currently exist (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand) and where populations can be revived through targeted interventions (Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia).

Incredible Dhole Facts!

While the dhole is closer in stature to a German Shepherd dog, it more accurately resembles a fox in appearance.
These wild dogs once ranged over all of Asia, North America, and Europe, but 12,000 to 18,000 years ago they were reduced to their current habitat which is concentrated in parts of Asia.
An adult can eat one kilogram of meat in four seconds, and it can later regurgitate it to feed other members of its pack.
Dhole packs have killed tigers and leopards, and they have even been known to attack Asiatic black bears.
Dholes are animals that can run at speeds up to 45mph.

Question:
Consider the following statements:
1. Asiatic lion naturally found in India only
2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only
3. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only
Which one of the statement given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3