Exciting news from Cambodia’s Mondulkiri province: a pair of endangered dholes, also known as Asiatic wild dogs, were spotted in the Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary on December 13. This rare sighting brings hope to conservationists working to protect the Kingdom’s precious wildlife.
During a routine patrol, rangers from Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Cambodia, encountered the two dholes (Cuon alpinus). With fewer than 2,500 dholes remaining in the wild worldwide, they are classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Dholes are pack hunters, known for their ability to bring down prey up to ten times their size. Despite their impressive hunting skills, they face significant threats in Cambodia, including habitat loss, snaring, and diseases transmitted by domestic dogs. Their population has been declining rapidly across the country.
Seng Teak, WWF Cambodia’s Country Director, reflected on the historic presence of dholes in Cambodia. “In the 1990s, dholes were frequently observed in packs of five to ten members in provinces such as Mondulkiri, Rattanakkiri, and Preah Vihear, as well as in the Cardamom Mountains,” he said. However, recent years have seen a decline, with dholes rarely captured on camera traps.
While the exact number of dholes in Cambodia remains unknown, their continued presence and the sighting of breeding pairs offer hope. “These animals play a critical role in maintaining the natural balance of ecosystems by keeping prey populations in check,” Teak emphasized. “They are also a draw for eco-tourism due to their unique behavior.”
Teak called on the public to help protect Cambodia’s wildlife, urging people to avoid eating bush meat and to stop participating in the illegal wildlife trade. He also emphasized the importance of ending poaching practices, such as setting snares and traps, and encouraged people to report any wildlife crimes to the authorities.
At Save the Earth International, we celebrate this discovery as a reminder of the resilience of endangered species and the importance of continued conservation efforts. Protecting dholes and their habitat is essential to preserving the biodiversity of Cambodia’s forests, and together, we can work to ensure these rare creatures continue to thrive in the wild.
