In a significant ecological development, the Asiatic wild dog, or dhole (Cuon alpinus), once believed to be locally extinct, has been rediscovered in Assam’s Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape (KKAL). A new study has confirmed the presence of this endangered carnivore through camera-trap evidence, marking its first documented sighting in the region in over a decade.

The findings, published in a recent issue of the Journal of Threatened Taxa, highlight the species’ ecological resilience and underscore the importance of conserving wildlife corridors amid increasing habitat fragmentation.

A Rediscovery with Far-Reaching Implications

The dhole, a highly social yet elusive predator, was historically widespread across Asia but has suffered severe population declines due to habitat destruction, prey depletion, and human-wildlife conflict. Its last confirmed sighting in northeast India was reported over a decade ago, leading experts to believe it had disappeared from the Kaziranga region, which is more famous for its one-horned rhinoceros and tiger populations.

However, the latest study, conducted by researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), has provided the first photographic evidence of dholes in the Amguri corridor of KKAL.

“India is experiencing a decline in wildlife species due to habitat loss, deforestation, and climate change. Species once thought to be extirpated from certain areas are being rediscovered, offering hope for conservation efforts,” the study notes.

The Critical Role of Wildlife Corridors

The KKAL, spanning 25,000 square kilometers within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, is a vital habitat for numerous threatened species, including tigers, leopards, and elephants. The study focused on four key animal corridors—Panbari, Haldhibari, Kanchanjuri, and Amguri—which facilitate movement between fragmented forest patches.

Experts involved in the study emphasized the significance of the discovery. “Dholes require large, undisturbed forest habitats, and their presence here confirms the need to conserve this dynamic wildlife corridor,” said a senior researcher. “This finding highlights the ecological value of these linkages, which support not just dholes but also other megafauna like tigers and elephants.”

The study stresses that habitat connectivity is crucial for the survival of wide-ranging species like the dhole, which depend on vast territories to hunt and sustain their pack structures.

Conservation Challenges and the Way Forward

The dhole’s global range has shrunk to less than a quarter of its historical extent due to habitat degradation, declining prey populations, and retaliatory killings by livestock owners. Unlike more charismatic predators such as tigers, dholes have received relatively little conservation attention, despite their role as apex predators in maintaining ecosystem balance.

With increasing threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, this discovery is a timely reminder of why these forest linkages must be protected and restored for the long-term survival of India’s lesser-known carnivores.

The study also suggests that coexistence between dholes and tigers is possible where prey availability is sufficient and habitats remain undisturbed. However, with human encroachment and infrastructure development intensifying, safeguarding wildlife corridors will be critical for the species’ survival.

The rediscovery of dholes in Kaziranga’s landscape is part of a broader trend where species once presumed locally extinct are being documented again. Such findings provide hope for conservationists striving to reverse biodiversity loss.

To ensure the long-term survival of dholes in the region, experts recommend strengthening anti-poaching measures, restoring degraded habitats, and promoting community-based conservation initiatives. Further research is also needed to assess the population size and genetic health of these newly detected individuals.

The return of the Asiatic wild dog to Assam’s Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape is a testament to nature’s resilience when given adequate protection. However, the species’ future—and that of other lesser-known carnivores—depends on sustained conservation efforts, habitat restoration, and policies that prioritize ecological connectivity.

As India faces mounting environmental challenges, the reappearance of the dhole serves as both a warning and an opportunity—a reminder of what could be lost, but also what can still be preserved with dedicated effort.