Dholes or Asiatic wild dogs (Cuon alpinus) are one of the least studied social carnivores in the world. Even in well-protected reserves, studies on dhole and up-to-date scientific information on existing populations remain negligible.  Using funds from a Ulysses S. Seal Conservation Grant championed by Northern Trail zookeeper Fred Swengel in 2012 and 2013, researchers were able to establish camera traps in Nepal’s Kangchenjunga Conservation Area to begin estimating population sizes and estimate their degree of contact with humans and domesticated animals.

With only 2,500 individuals across their southeastern Asian range, dholes are listed as Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List.  Besides being one of only a handful North America to exhibit dholes, the Minnesota Zoo is also actively involved in their conservation in Thailand: www.mnzoo.com/conservation/conservation_world_dhole.asp.