The endangered dhole, or Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus), has been recorded for the first time in the forests of Shirui Village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, with a camera trap confirming the presence of the elusive carnivore.
The sighting was made during a wildlife monitoring survey conducted by the Environmental Force at Grassroot Level (ENFOGAL), marking a significant addition to the documented wildlife of Shirui and highlighting the ecological importance of the village’s forests.
According to ENFOGAL, the discovery challenges the long-held belief among local residents that dholes did not inhabit the hills surrounding Shirui. Conservationists said the finding indicates that the forests continue to provide suitable habitat for the endangered predator, which depends on healthy ecosystems, abundant prey and minimal human disturbance.
The survey was carried out with support from the local community, including former hunter-turned-conservationist Pamreithing, whose knowledge of wildlife movement helped identify the location where the camera trap captured the animal. Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, the dhole is one of Asia’s most threatened social carnivores, and its presence is considered an indicator of a relatively intact forest ecosystem.
The latest record adds to the growing list of wildlife documented in Shirui in recent years, strengthening the case for further scientific surveys in the region. Conservationists believe the forests may harbour additional undocumented species.
The discovery also highlights the role of community-led conservation in the area. ENFOGAL has spent the past eight years conducting biodiversity surveys and wildlife awareness programmes across Ukhrul district, working with schools, village authorities and local communities to promote conservation.
Wildlife protection efforts by the Ukhrul Forest Division have also contributed through awareness campaigns and the Community-Based Sustainable Forest Management (COSFOM) project, supported by KfW. Under the Forest Area Closure initiative in Shirui, village forest patrol teams regularly monitor protected forests to curb illegal hunting and trapping.
Patrick Shangh, co-founder of ENFOGAL and a resident of Shirui Village, attributed the discovery to the community’s collective conservation efforts and the decision of the Shirui Village Authority and residents to prohibit hunting.
He said the finding reflected the rich biodiversity of the area’s forests and expressed hope that it would encourage continued protection of the region’s wildlife.
Conservationists said the camera trap evidence not only confirms the presence of a globally threatened species but also reinforces Shirui’s importance as one of Manipur’s key biodiversity landscapes, with further research expected to uncover more undocumented wildlife.
