Two endangered dholes spotted at Sre Pok wildlife sanctuary on December 13. WWF
A pair of endangered dholes was discovered in Mondulkiri province’s Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary on December 13, bringing great joy to the Kingdom’s environmental protectors.
Rangers from the environment ministry and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Cambodia came across the two dholes (Cuon alpinus), often known as the Asiatic wild dog, during a routine patrol.
With an estimated global wild population of just 2,500, dholes are listed as an endangered species on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The WWF explained that these predators typically cooperate in packs to hunt prey, and are capable of killing animals over 10 times their own body weight. Unfortunately, their numbers in Cambodia are in rapid decline.
“These rare animals are threatened by snaring, loss of habitat, and infectious diseases from domestic dogs,” said the WWF, in a statement about the recent discovery.
Praise was offered to Cambodian rangers, community patrols and WWF officers for their efforts to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the sanctuary.
Seng Teak, WWF country director, said on December 14 that during the 1990s, forest trackers and rangers found many packs of dholes, most of them with five to 10 members. They were mostly observed in the northern parts of the country, such as Rattanakkiri, Mondulkiri, Kratie, Kampong Thom and Preah Vihear provinces. They were also seen in the Cardamom mountain area, including in Pursat, Koh Kong and Pailin provinces.
However, in recent years they have rarely been caught on camera traps, indicating a decline in their population in the country.
“We do not have a definitive figure for how many dholes are present in Cambodia, but we can say that they are still here, and that they are breeding,” he said.
A predator, the animal plays a vital part in the ecological system.
“The dhole plays a vital role in the ecology, as it preserves the natural balance in terms of the food chain. It also attracts tourists because of their talent in preying on other animals,” added Teak.
He called on the public to participate in protecting the Kingdom’s wildlife, including dholes.
People, he said, should refrain from eating bush meat, as well as participating in the wildlife trade. The setting of snares and traps and other poaching activities must also end. He asked that the public report any wildlife crimes they know of to the authorities.
