Manipur: Endangered Asiatic Wild Dog Recorded for the First Time in Ukhrul’s Shirui Village
Imphal, July 24: In a significant boost to wildlife conservation in Manipur, the endangered Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus), commonly known as the dhole, has been recorded for the first time in Shirui Village of Ukhrul district through camera trap monitoring.
The rare sighting was documented during a biodiversity survey conducted by the Environmental Force at Grassroot Level (ENFOGAL), a Ukhrul-based community organisation dedicated to wildlife conservation and biodiversity research.
The Asiatic wild dog is classified as ‘Endangered’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Its population has been declining across Asia due to habitat destruction, forest fragmentation, and human-induced pressures.
According to ENFOGAL, there had been no previous scientific record of the species in the Shirui Hills. Many local residents also believed that the endangered carnivore no longer existed in the region, making the discovery particularly significant for conservation efforts.
The camera trap that captured the animal was installed with the help of Pamreithing, a former hunter who has since become a conservation volunteer. Using his extensive knowledge of forest trails and wildlife movement, he identified the location where the elusive species was eventually photographed.
The wildlife monitoring initiative received support from the Ukhrul Forest Division and the KfW-supported Community-Based Sustainable Forest Management (COSFOM) project. As part of the Forest Area Closure programme, village patrol teams regularly monitor forests to prevent illegal hunting, trapping, and other activities that threaten biodiversity.
Patrick Shangh, co-founder of ENFOGAL, praised the Shirui Village Authority and local communities for their commitment to protecting wildlife through strict enforcement of hunting bans and active participation in conservation programmes.
He noted that the discovery highlights the rich ecological value of the Shirui landscape and suggests that further scientific surveys may uncover additional undocumented wildlife species in the region.
The first confirmed record of the endangered Asiatic wild dog in Shirui Village marks an important milestone for biodiversity conservation in Manipur and underscores the success of community-led conservation initiatives in safeguarding the state’s fragile ecosystems.
