Thèses sur le sujet « Cuon alpinu »

Knowledge of how animals utilize their space can be important when they are held in captivity. This is especially true for animals that are on the edge of extinction as such knowledge can possibly help to improve their captive breeding programs. One of these animals is the dhole, Cuon alpinus. The aim for this study was to assess how the dholes at Kolmården zoo utilize their space, if they share space and if they prefer to use specific pathways. The study took place at Kolmården zoo during 12 days and included a total of 72 hours of visual observation. A summarized map, with subdivision into 14 zones, of the dholes’ enclosure was used when recording the dholes’ location. For location recordings scan sampling was used. The dholes showed marked differences in utilization of zones ranging from the most popular zone with 1341 markings to the least popular zone with 71 markings. There was a clear preference for three zones during the whole observation period. No marked differences for utilization of zones were found between feeding vs. non-feeding days and morning vs. afternoon. Furthermore, the dholes showed a tendency for sharing space and utilization of two pathways. This project makes it evident that the dholes at Kolmården zoo prefer certain zones within their enclosure. This is probably due to that the zones preferred provides locations with access to resting, lookout possibilities etc that is important for the dholes to express a natural behavior.

In this study, 12 dholes (Cuon alpinus) at Kolmården Wildlife Park were observed to investigate how they use their enclosure and if they tend to share space with each other. Using scan sampling for every five minutes, the location of the dholes was marked on a hand drawn map with 14 zones. The study lasted for a total of 72 observation hours during three weeks.  The results showed that the dholes had marked preferences for certain zones. Within the zones, attractive areas, so-called hotspots, were found. A hotspot includes the majority of the markings in the zones. The number of observations ranged from 1341 in the most popular zone to 71 in the least popular. Comparisons between data for mornings vs. afternoon and feeding days vs. non-feeding days showed no obvious differences in utilization of the zones. Two frequently used pathways through the enclosure were found. Finally, the results showed that the dholes have a tendency to share space with each other.

In this thesis five different protection harnesses for hunting dogs against canidae attacks were assessed. Hunting dogs can be attacked and severely injured or killed by wolves (Canis lupus) when released during hunting. So far there is no effective protection method. Similar problems are reported with African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) and dholes (Cuon alpinus) with other domestic animals. In this study the experimental harnesses were presented on a dummy to lure the animals to attack them. The harnesses with physical (screws or spikes on the back) and ultrasound (immediate bite controlled and 19 second continuous ultrasound) deterrents were only assessed during wolf attacks, whereas the harness with electric shocks was also tested on the other two species. Neither physical nor ultrasound deterrents showed a large enough aversive response in the wolves. Electric shocks, given to the animals when biting the dummy, triggered an immediate release of the dummy in all three species. Long term effects differed between species and individuals. The exposed wolf did not touch the dummy again after a second exposure, whereas all except one African wild dog bit the dummy again in consecutive trials. Some individuals returned to bite a second time even in the same trial. An assessment of the long term effect on dholes was not possible, as the individuals were undistinguishable. Based on the data obtained in this study a harness with electric deterrent seems the most promising.

The European leopards and Cuon alpinus from the Late Pleistocene site of Equi (Tuscany) have been here studied and described underling the exceptional conservation of these rare carnivorans. Moreover, the historical collection discovered between 1911 and 1917 have been reorganized in order to verify the faunal assemblage throughout the stratigraphic record and the frequencies the species in the different layers. I also studied the Middle Pleistocene fossils of lynxes discovered in the site of Valdemino and determined as Lynx spelaeus, and the taxonomical determination of Late Pleistocen European lion.

Rothunde (Cuon alpinus, Pallas 1811) auch Asiatische Wildhunde genannt gehören zu den mittelgroßen, im Rudel lebenden Caniden. In dieser Studie wurden die ultimaten Gründe für einen Verbleib der Nachkommen im Rudel (auch über ihre Geschlechtsreife hinaus) erörtert und die proximaten Mechanismen, wie Rudelleben koordiniert wird, erforscht. Dazu wurden über vier Jahre von 2001 bis 2004 drei verschiedene Rudel in den Zoos Schwerin und Magdeburg studiert. Schwerpunkte der Grundlagenforschung waren die Paar- und Rudelbildung sowie die Koordination des Zusammenlebens mittels optischer und olfaktorischer Kommunikation. Des weiteren fanden die Reproduktion und die Aufzucht besondere Beachtung. Im angewandten Bereich der Studie wurde der Einfluss verschiedener haltungsspezifischer Parameter auf den Reproduktionserfolg der Rudel in zoologischen Gärten Europas untersucht. Als Forschungsansatz wurde hypothetisch angenommen, dass Rothunde nicht wegen der kooperativen Jagd im Rudel leben, sondern aufgrund der hohen prä- und postnatalen Kosten einer Aufzucht. Die Reproduktion ist dabei auf das Alphapaar beschränkt, die restlichen Rudelmitglieder sind obligate Helfer, die durch ihre Verwandtschaft mit dem Alphapaar indirekt an Fitness gewinnen. Dies konnte in der vorliegenden Studie bestätigt werden. Eine Reproduktionsunterdrückung konnte belegt werden. Zur Paarungszeit grenzten sich die Alphatiere durch alleiniges Markierungsverhalten ab. Die Zahl der Aggressionen gegen gleichgeschlechtliche, reproduktionsfähige Rudelmitglieder stieg ebenfalls an, die Hierarchie im Rudel trat deutlich hervor. Während der Trächtigkeitsphase und der Aufzucht befriedete sich das Rudel. Alle Rudelmitglieder halfen bei der Aufzucht der Welpen des Alphapaares. Dabei gab es verschiedene Rollen und Aufgaben. Die Elterntiere wurden durch die Helfer merklich entlastet. Während sich Rudel mit vier und mehr Tieren reproduzieren, ziehen 1,1 Rothunde auch im Zoo nur selten Junge groß.

Biodiversity monitoring and predictions of species occurrence are essential to develop outcome-oriented conservation management plans for endangered species and assess their success over time. To assess distribution and patterns of habitat use of large mammal assemblages in Thailand, with a focus on the endangered dhole (Cuon alpinus), I first implemented a long-term camera-trapping project carried out with park rangers from October 2003 through October 2007 in Khao Yai National Park. This project was extremely successful and may serve as a regional model for wildlife conservation. I found significantly lower relative abundance indices for carnivore species, and collectively for all mammals compared to data obtained in 1999–2000, suggesting population declines resulting from increased human activity. I integrated this data into maximum entropy modeling (Maxent) to further evaluate whether ranger stations reduced poaching activity and increased wildlife diversity and abundances. I then conducted a focused camera trap survey from January 2008 through February 2010 in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary to gather critical baseline information on dholes, one of the predator species that seemed to have declined over time and that is exposed to continued pressure from humans. Additionally, I led a collaborative effort with other colleagues in the field to collate and integrate camera trap data from 15 protected areas to build a country-wide habitat suitability map for dholes, other predators, and their major prey species. The predicted presence probability for sambar (Rusa unicolor) and leopards (Panthera pardus) were the most important variables in predicting dhole presence countrywide. Based on my experience from these different field ecological surveys and endeavors, it became clear that local people's beliefs may have a strong influence on dhole management and conservation. Thus, I conducted villager interview surveys to identify local attitudes towards dholes, document the status of dholes in wildlife sanctuaries adjacent to Cambodia, and determine the best approach to improve local support for dhole conservation before proceeding with further field studies of the species in Thailand. A photograph of a dhole was correctly identified by only 20% of the respondents. My studies provide evidence that some protected areas in Thailand continue to support a diversity of carnivore speices of conservation concern, including clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa), dholes, and small felids. However, dholes' impact on prey populations may be increasing as tiger (Panthera tigris) and leopards are extripated from protected areas. The next step in dhole conservation is to estimate the size and stability of their fragmented populations and also focus on maintaining adequate prey bases that would support both large felids and dholes.

Biodiversity monitoring and predictions of species occurrence are essential to develop outcome-oriented conservation management plans for endangered species and assess their success over time. To assess distribution and patterns of habitat use of large mammal assemblages in Thailand, with a focus on the endangered dhole (Cuon alpinus), I first implemented a long-term camera-trapping project carried out with park rangers from October 2003 through October 2007 in Khao Yai National Park. This project was extremely successful and may serve as a regional model for wildlife conservation. I found significantly lower relative abundance indices for carnivore species, and collectively for all mammals compared to data obtained in 1999-2000, suggesting population declines resulting from increased human activity. I integrated this data into maximum entropy modeling (Maxent) to further evaluate whether ranger stations reduced poaching activity and increased wildlife diversity and abundances. I then conducted a focused camera trap survey from January 2008 through February 2010 in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary to gather critical baseline information on dholes, one of the predator species that seemed to have declined over time and that is exposed to continued pressure from humans. Additionally, I led a collaborative effort with other colleagues in the field to collate and integrate camera trap data from 15 protected areas to build a country-wide habitat suitability map for dholes, other predators, and their major prey species. The predicted presence probability for sambar (Rusa unicolor) and leopards (Panthera pardus) were the most important variables in predicting dhole presence countrywide. Based on my experience from these different field ecological surveys and endeavors, it became clear that local people's beliefs may have a strong influence on dhole management and conservation. Thus, I conducted villager interview surveys to identify local attitudes towards dholes, document the status of dholes in wildlife sanctuaries adjacent to Cambodia, and determine the best approach to improve local support for dhole conservation before proceeding with further field studies of the species in Thailand. A photograph of a dhole was correctly identified by only 20% of the respondents. My studies provide evidence that some protected areas in Thailand continue to support a diversity of carnivore speices of conservation concern, including clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa), dholes, and small felids. However, dholes' impact on prey populations may be increasing as tiger (Panthera tigris) and leopards are extripated from protected areas. The next step in dhole conservation is to estimate the size and stability of their fragmented populations and also focus on maintaining adequate prey bases that would support both large felids and dholes

The dhole (Cuon alpinus) is one of the least studied endangered top predators inhabiting the Asian jungle. Today, dholes population are estimated fewer than 2500 mature individuals remain in the wild and the declining population trend is expected to continue. These facts lead the IUCN to classify this species as an endangered species. In order to protect this species, the Indonesian government declared the dhole as a protected species through Act No. 5 in 1990 with respect to the law on the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems as well as in the Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia No. 7 in 1999 with respect to the law on the conservation of flora and fauna. Nevertheless, the efforts to conserve this species are not as intensive as other large predator such as tiger (Panthera tigris) and leopard which are listed as high priority mammals to conserve in the Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia No. P.57/Menhut-II/2008 with respect to the strategic direction of the national species conservation 2008-2018. Not only conservation action is absent in the field, but basic data on the population status of this species are hard to find in many protected areas including the national parks of Sumatra and Java. These limitations are critical constraints for the conservation and management of dholes in Indonesia and if no significant immediate action is taken soon, this species will face extinction in a number of its natural range. In order to support the conservation and management of this species we established a first systematic research concerning dhole’s ecology in Baluran National Park (BNP), East Java, Indonesia. The research attempted to answer four basic questions concerning dhole’s ecology including the actual status of dhole’s population and prey, dhole’s respond against the gradients of environment conditions anthropogenic disturbance, activity and movement pattern during the denning season, and the feeding habit of this species. The dynamics of dhole populations and its prey populations are fundamental for the successful management and conservation of the dhole. Therefore, estimates of the dhole’s abundance as well as its prey are critical information for management. Distance sampling based on a 287.5 km line transect was applied to estimate the density of dholes and their prey. In addition, a camera trap survey was conducted to detect the presence of this cryptic species and its prey. The dhole population was recorded for two consecutive dry seasons in 2013 and 2014 respectively. We were able to identify at least 4 packs that were frequently sighted at different locations: Bama, Balanan, Merak and Watu Numpuk. However, only two packs were found breeding in 2013 / 2014. In total, 15 prey species were identified during the field survey, consisting of small mammals (6 species), medium-large mammals (5 species), birds (2 species), and primates (2 species). The occurrence of at least four dhole packs with evidence of two of the packs reproducing successfully and the availability of prey in various sizes and from a range of taxa are evidence that BNP provides essential habitat for the dhole and plays a major role in the conservation of dholes on Java in Indonesia. An understanding of the response of the species under various environmental conditions in its natural habitat is critical for its conservation and management. The negative influence of anthropogenic activities on dhole distribution has also been reported in India at the landscape level as well as at the reserve scale. Nevertheless, the evidence of the dhole’s response to anthropogenic activities and the extent of environmental factors beyond site-specific studies are needed to support the management and conservation of dholes at the local scale, which might be associated with different habitat types and environmental conditions. In this research, the impacts of human activities as well as environmental factors on the presence of dholes were studied on 755 plots, which were distributed systematically across the park and their relationships were analysed using a binomial generalized linear model. We found that the presence of dholes was negatively associated with anthropogenic activities and positively associated with the presence of prey. This suggests that reducing anthropogenic activities and ensuring the availability of natural prey are crucial factors for maintaining the long term survival of this species in their natural habitat. It is also important to have a good understanding of their ecology during the denning season (including information about denning ecology and home ranges) if one is to support the management and conservation of this species. Knowledge about den ecology is crucial for understanding the denning strategies of targeted species in given environments, ultimately leading to reproductive success, while knowledge about home ranges on the other hand is also crucial to understand how much space is required, which kind of habitat is necessary, and the effects of various factors (e.g. food resources and breeding requirements) on spacing behaviour and movements during the denning season. Camera traps and radio telemetry surveys were employed to observe dhole activity patterns and movement over the denning period. The dholes showed crepuscular and diurnal activity patterns with most activities intensifying at dawn and dusk, and becoming less intense in the middle of the day. The dhole’s home range comprised of hunting grounds, water resources, and a den in the centre. The home range size was estimated at 744.86 ha (using the 95% Minimum Convex Polygon/MCP method), at 1418.28 ha (using the 80% Kernel Utilization Distribution/KUD analysis), and at 479.59 ha (using 90% Local Convex Hull/LoCoH), whereas the core area was estimated to be 636.36 ha (50% KUD) and 67.37 ha (50% LoCoH), and the size of the most greatly used area at 231.57 ha (25% KUD) comprising of the den sites and the hunting grounds. The dhole’s den ecology strategy was to use other animal’s burrows on steep slopes with dense vegetation cover and located on the opposite side of the hill to where human activity occurred. Den switching occurred every 2 weeks. These results indicate that dholes selected a den site that fulfilled their needs for food, water, cover, and predator evasion. As carnivore, the dhole’s life history strategy depend upon various factors like food, spacing pattern, habitat selection, distribution, social structure and movement pattern. Among those factors, food is the most essential resources for carnivore, because the evolutionary fitness of any predator depends on the quality and quantity of its diet. Therefore, information concerning food habits is important consideration in formulating management strategies, both in species and ecosystem levels. In this research, we studied the dhole’s feeding habit using scat analysis. In total, 54 scats were collected across the park during the dry season 2013 and analyzed to identify the food habits of this species. At least 20 prey species were identified during the scat analysis. Ungulates are the most important prey which was estimated to contribute more than 95 % of the biomass consumed by dholes in BNP. This result implies that as the major preys, ungulates have essential role to the dholes foraging ecology and survival in BNP. Efforts to ensure ungulates availability and to secure habitat will be the key for the dhole’s conservation in Java. Understanding the biology and ecology of managed species is the key to achieve the management success. However, most of wildlife management decision were made based more on the emotion and political agenda than on scientific data. As the result, the impact of management process become far from the expectation and in some occasion raise the new problem. We found that lethal control is an approach which mostly used along the history of dhole’s management and resulting the dramatic dhole’s population decline and explosion of wild ungulates population. Although the dhole’s received protected status from the most countries of its natural ranges, the conservation actions focused in this species have never been reported. The lack of baseline data for dhole’s conservation is still the common phenomenon in the most of dhole’s range. In Java, from 6 national parks which are identified as dhole’s habitat, only 1 national park which have baseline data on dhole’s ecology. This fact has hampered the conservation this species and has placed the future of this species survival into uncertainty. Gathering scientific data related to the dhole’s conservation by multidisciplinary team become the first priority which must be conducted. These will benefit to the management in resolving the problem arises during the management process. The reliable information can also be used improve public understanding to the biology and ecology of dholes and to shape public attitude to be more tolerance to existing of this species.