Jan Kamler

The Ecology of Dholes in a Zoned Reserve in Laos

The dhole in Nam Et-Phou Louey - camera trap photo from WCS Lao PDR NEPL NPA.

Typical forest and terrain in Nam Et-Phou Louey.

Recent camera trap photo of a dhole in Nam Et-Phou Louey, northern Laos.

Town/RegionCountryCategoriesDate
Nam Et National Bio-Diversity Conservation AreaLao People's Democratic RepublicAsia, Mammals10 Nov 2010

Dholes (Cuon alpinus) have disappeared from >80% of their distribution during the past 50 years, and remaining populations occur in small isolated populations in India and Southeast Asia. Dholes require more land area for long-term persistence than any other large carnivore in Asia, and consequently have disappeared from more reserves than have tigers. Despite their seemingly dire fate, research has yet to determine how reserve size and design affects dhole numbers and distribution. Such information is vital for dhole conservation efforts throughout Asia.

Located in a biodiversity hotspot, Lao PDR contains 17 protected areas covering 13% of the country. One of the largest reserves is the Nam Et-Phou Louey (NEPL) National Protected Area (5,950 km2), which includes a 3,000 km2 core area where human access and wildlife harvest is prohibited, and a 2,950 km2 buffer area where pre-existing villages are allocated land for subsistence living. The overall goal of NEPL is to function as a model for landscape management and wildlife conservation in Asia.

The primary aim of this project is to determine how the different management zones of NEPL affect dhole ecology, and if this reserve design can effectively conserve dholes. The major achievements will be to determine the density of dholes and their prey in different management zones of NEPL. This project also will determine pack size and prey selection of dholes across the different management zones. We will use only non-invasive techniques (e.g., DNA analysis of feces) to collect basic ecological data on dholes and their prey. Because little is known about the dhole ecology in Southeast Asia, our results will have global importance for dhole conservation efforts, as well as having practical recommendations for management of the local dhole population within NEPL. A special focus will be placed on investigating and resolving livestock predation by dholes, which must be reduced if dholes are to be conserved into the future. Other major achievements include the training of students and park staff for identification of dhole and prey signs, and the initiation of long-term surveys for dholes.

For further information contact jankamler@hotmail.com or visit www.janute.com

Project Update:

Since February 2011, at least 40 dhole scats have been collected during surveys throughout the core zone of the Nam Et-Phou Louey (NEPL) National Protected Area. Surveys for dhole scats were conducted during 1 to 3-week field trips in six sub-areas of the core zone. Dhole scats were found in four of the six areas. Additionally, dholes were recorded in camera traps in three of the sub-areas, indicating that dholes are present in at least five of the six sub-areas. During field trips, students and park staff were trained in survey methods for identifying dhole sign.

For the remainder of the study period, surveys for dholes will be continue in the core and buffer zones of NEPL. Additionally, surveys for prey species will be conducted in both zones. Emphasis will be placed on documenting and preventing livestock predation by dholes in the buffer zones.


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