Dhole plays an important character in forest biodiversity. Dhole, wild dog or whistling dog this canine species wears a reddish-brown fur with flunks of black hair on its back and tail. They chase their prey with biting and feeding practices continues when prey is still alive.

Before 80’s their population was abundant and widespread throughout Odisha. That time it was widely believed that wild dogs are threat to tigers and competitors for prey base herbivores. So, their number is reduced by intensely.

They are hyper carnivores means 70% of their diet consist of meat. Their hunting partly consists of 10-15 individuals and they fill the atmosphere with whistling screeching sounds. Sometimes they can be seen in flunks of 3-5 individuals for effective hunting. They can take down their hunt ten times of their size. As these dogs are very social, they allow klepto parasites to eat with them. Keen sense of hearing, smelling, communication and endurance makes them formidable predator that they are.

There have been instances of tigers, leopards being threated by these dog packs in Odisha in past, as they share their territories with those top predators. But this top fighter which thrives in the unlikeliest places doesn’t stand a chance against another predator that is at its merciless best right now. Deforestation is occurring right now as I am writing this and it continues to thrust their habitats in to destruction resulting in the depletion of dhole population. The ever-expanding developmental ventures are nails in the coffin for these innocent beings.

Another cause of depletion in human inhabitations and cattle grazing inside dhole habitats. Cattle, in the process of grazing destroy the meadows which lead to the transfer of prey base of Dhole which is mostly ungulate. So sometimes dhole kills their cattle. They become pest to human livestock in the process. They earn a bad reputation in this process.

Human settlements introduce domesticated dogs inside Dhole habitats causes serious threat. Diseases caused by domestic and feral dogs are one of these many reasons of its depletion. Dholes are being ignored by most of us as this is not a very appealing and glamorous project. Currently tiger project relocation is on the rise in Odisha but that is not an excuse for overlooking of the species. They should not be taken lightly as only less than some individuals of the species left in the wild.

Due to unavailability of baseline data conservation, strategies have not been implemented on priority basis. So, there is a need of good specific data including current status is needed.

In primary stage we reviewed the ecological information from published research papers. Discussed the management and conservation plans which has been conducted in recent past. But sadly, we identified a large gap between both. No such findings are available to minimize it.

Considering this we covered most areas of Eastern Ghat ranges and information about Dhole population is very limited or nearly absent in Odisha but still there is hope in western and north western parts of Odisha. There are 2-3 packs in that area and future will tell the exact population movement pattern. Study reveals that some solitary Dhole are also present and are successful hunters of small prey.

We are working to increase public understanding on the importance of Dhole.

Conducting awareness activities to gather public sympathy and how to become more tolerant to this species.

Our study will help prioritizing specific areas, especially outside PAs for Dholes.

Discussed to protect this top predator species those control the population of wild boars and other herbivore species.

Further we have to spread awareness of understanding of the key roles this wild canid species play in maintaining healthy ecosystem and how their presence benefits locals could help put Dholes in the conservation spotlight in time to prevent some species blinking out of existence.