Final Report - Asian Development Bank

110
TA 4721-PRC: Preparing the Shaanxi-Qinling Mountains Integrated Ecosystem Management Project
Final Report Appendix 5
DHOLE CUON ALPINUS
Global Range: Central Europe to Indochina
China Range: A Dhole was recently reported captured in Jiangxi Province, south
China. Dholes were once present in western China in the Tian Shan,
but the species' current status in this area is unclear. Still found in
Tibet, particularly in areas bordering the Ladakh region of India. Tibet
Forestry Bureau has reported that dholes are still "common" in parts
of south-east Tibet.
Habitat and ecology: habitats include primary, secondary and degraded forms of tropical
dry and moist deciduous forest; evergreen and semi-evergreen
forests; dry thorn forests; grassland-scrub-forest; and alpine steppe
(above 3,000 m), but not desert regions; habitat selection influenced
by availability of medium to large ungulate prey, water, presence of
other large carnivores, human population levels and suitability of
breeding sites (proximity to water, presence of suitable boulder
structures and sufficient prey) 75
Biomes: Palearctic, Indo-Malayan
Habitats: forest – tropical to temperate
Conservation Status:
shrubland – temperate
IUCN Red List status: Endangered
CITES: Appendix II
China Red Data Book: Vulnerable
National protected species: –
Shaanxi Province protection: n/a
grassland – upland, mountainous
Population size & trend: Fewer than 2,500 mature individuals remain in the wild and the
declining population trend is expected to continue. Limited numbers
throughout its range but poorly studied; population estimates not
available.
Threats & constraints: Main threats include habitat loss, depletion of prey, interspecific
competition, persecution and possibly disease transfer from domestic
and feral dogs. There is no widespread exploitation for fur or other
purposes, though medicinal use should be investigated in China.
Research, survey and management recommendations:
Research & monitoring: Compile a GIS database and plot maps of historic distribution; plan and
implement a Dhole research program to describe ecology, biology,
identify prey species, identify and locate dens and record locations of
sightings or tracks; assess impacts on Dhole population of human
activities.
75 adapted from IUCN World Conservation Union Species Survival Commission Red List of Threatened Species