Camera trap records of dholes in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand

In response to a lack of data on dholes Cuon alpinus, we initiated an intensive field study of dholes in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary (KARN) in eastern Thailand to gather critical baseline information on the factors influencing dhole presence. Dholes have declined over time, are exposed to continued pressure from humans, yet are taking over the role of top-predator in many Thai protected areas with the extirpation of tigers Panthera tigris. During January 2008-February 2010, we obtained 67 independent photographs (n = 4,505 camera-trap nights) of dholes along with photos of 27 mammal species in KARN. To evaluate factors determining dhole presence we used a zero-inflation Posisson regression model. We did not detect any significant influence of human activity on dhole presence. However, our photos confirmed that dholes and domestic dogs use overlapping areas at KARN. The presence of domestic dogs could have implications for competition or disease spillover. The presence of wild pigs had a significant negative relationship to sites of dhole photos, while bait had a significant positive relationship. Based on camera trapping efforts, we found that the one reproducing dhole pack detected during our study was mostly crepuscular, and their minimum 1-day movement averaged 2,597m (n= 6 consecutive-day photos). Photo capture rates of dholes were highest in the cool season (Oct-Jan). While we confirmed that there was at least one healthy dhole pack in KARN, this is far from establishing the presence of a healthy population in this protected area.