https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Rare and Formidable Dhole Pack Spotted in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

Field staff on patrol in the Panpatha beat of the Pataur region within the reserve encountered a pack of dholes drinking water at a pond.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, renowned globally for its tiger population and biodiversity, has recently witnessed the presence of a less commonly seen but highly intriguing predator: the dhole, also known as the Asiatic wild dog or whistling dog. This elusive canid, scientifically named Cuon alpinus, is known for its unique social behaviour and hunting strategies, even instilling fear in tigers.

Field staff on patrol in the Panpatha beat of the Pataur region within the reserve encountered a pack of dholes drinking water at a pond. P.K. Verma, Deputy Director of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, highlighted the significance of this sighting, stating that dholes are rare and their presence indicates a healthy ecosystem.

Unlike domestic dogs, dholes do not bark. Instead, they communicate within their packs using a distinctive whistling sound, which they also employ during hunts to coordinate their movements.

What makes dholes particularly unique is their predatory behaviour. Unlike most large carnivores that typically kill their prey before consuming it, dholes are known to start eating their quarry while it is still alive. They relentlessly pursue their target, inflicting bites on the legs, flanks, and hindquarters until the weakened animal collapses. This strategy of continuously attacking and feeding allows them to quickly consume their prey and maximise their food intake.

The deputy director further explained the dhole’s formidable reputation, even among tigers. While generally avoiding adult tigers, dholes are bold enough to prey on tiger cubs if encountered. It is believed they can detect the presence of tigresses with young ones and seize any opportunity to snatch the vulnerable offspring. Smaller tigers tend to avoid these pack hunters due to their coordinated group attacks. However, they pose no threat to fully grown tigers.

Dholes are occasionally sighted in the Pataur, Manpur, and Dhamokhar ranges of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Their nomadic nature and tendency to roam with their packs, which can range from 12 to 20 individuals, contribute to their infrequent sightings. Their strength lies in their numbers and cooperative hunting.

While Bandhavgarh has a smaller dhole population, the Pench and Kanha Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh boast a comparatively higher number of these rare wild dogs. Their declining numbers across their range classify them as a species of conservation concern.

The dhole is known by various names, including wild dog, whistling dog, Asiatic wild dog, Indian wild dog, and red dog. Some people mistakenly identify them as red foxes. This recent sighting in Bandhavgarh serves as a reminder of the diverse and fascinating wildlife that inhabits these protected forests and the importance of their conservation.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
Policing, Trust, and Investment: Insights from IPF - Indian Masterminds
Indian Police Foundation Marks 10 Years, Discussion on How Policing Builds Investor Confidence
Madhya Pradesh football training
Mini Brazil to Germany: Vicharpur’s Young Footballers Get CM Mohan Yadav’s Blessings on Vijayadashami Week
bureaucracy news
Centre Announces Key Bureaucratic Appointments & Deputation Extensions: Neeraj Surendran, Arun G, Anand Mohan Among Key Names
PM Modi CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar Receives Rs. 10,219 Crore from Centre: A Festive Gift On Vijayadashami to Fuel Development & Welfare, Backed by GST Reforms
Chhattisgarh government
Chhattisgarh CM Charts Development Roadmap: Push for Capital Expenditure, Biometric Attendance, & Transparent Governance
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh Gets Rs. 3,462 Crore Boost from Modi Government: Here's How CM Sai Pledges To Spend It!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Live Interaction
From Cut-off Dates to Coaching & Reforms: UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Assures Aspirants of Fairness, Transparency & a Future-Ready UPSC | UPSC@100
A Century of Service: The UPSC’s Landmark Year Begins. Chairman Ajay Kumar on UPSC’s Centennial: “Merit,...
Giriraj Parihar MPPSC 2024
From Constable to Deputy Collector: Giriraj Parihar’s 9-Year MPPSC Journey | Farmer’s Son, Brother to Five Sisters
From a jail guard to MPPSC 2024 Rank 8, Giriraj Parihar’s nine-year journey of self-study, hard work,...
Ankit MPPSC 2024 Rank 3
From Village Dreams to Deputy Collector’s Chair: Meet Ankit, MPPSC Rank 3 Hindi Medium Topper
Ankit, a Hindi-medium aspirant from Balaghat, secured Rank 3 in MPPSC 2024 and became Deputy Collector...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT