The project aims to collect information on the food habit, behaviour, social organisation, habitat use and ranging pattern of the dhole or the Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus) in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh.

Between July 2002 and October 2004, three dholes (an adult male and two adult females), from three independent packs, were captured, radio-collared, and tracked. Detailed information regarding pack characteristics, food habits, behaviour, activity and movement patterns was recorded for these packs. Other non-radio tagged dholes within the study area were also monitored, whenever they were encountered. The diet of dholes was assessed from their scats (n = 726) and kills (n = 137). Systematic estimation of prey abundance was conducted on 19 permanent line transects (total length = 38 km, total length walked = 304 km) laid randomly within the study area, and also within the approximate home ranges of the study packs (n = 20 transects, 74 km length walked) in 2004. Encounter rates and group composition of major dhole prey species were recorded on forest roads using vehicle-based counts (total length travelled = 334 km).

Pack-wise dhole food habits, seasonal ranging patterns of the three radio-tagged dholes, and parameters related to dhole prey abundance, such as density, encounter rates and group composition, for the period 2001-2004, are discussed.
 

Dr. A.J.T. Johnsingh & Dr. K. Sankar

Grant-in-aid