Why Nepal?
Dholes (Cuon alpinus) in Nepal remain one of the country’s least-studied carnivores, with fundamental gaps in understanding their population size, distribution, pack structure, and ecological dynamics. Confirmed sightings are largely limited to Terai protected areas like Chitwan and Parsa, but anecdotal and camera-trap observations from Nepal’s mid-hills and Himalayan foothills suggest they may persist more broadly—yet systematic data are lacking to confirm these patterns. Key unknowns include their prey preferences, movement corridors, disease vulnerabilities (such as canine distemper and rabies from domestic dogs), and the impact of infrastructure development on their habitats.
In recognition of these gaps, Nepal hosted the IUCN Dhole Working Group’s second International Dhole Conference in Kathmandu in 2023. This event brought together global experts to share findings and set conservation priorities. Building on that momentum, Nepal convened a Dhole Action Plan Meeting in 2024. Both events were sponsored by the Dhole Conservation Fund and led by dedicated project partners working to ensure a stronger future for dholes in the region. These meetings laid the groundwork for the country’s first national strategy focused specifically on dhole conservation.
In recognition of these gaps, Nepal hosted the IUCN Dhole Working Group’s second International Dhole Conference in Kathmandu in 2023. This event brought together global experts to share findings and set conservation priorities. Building on that momentum, Nepal convened a Dhole Action Plan Meeting in 2024. Both events were sponsored by the Dhole Conservation Fund and led by dedicated project partners working to ensure a stronger future for dholes in the region. These meetings laid the groundwork for the country’s first national strategy focused specifically on dhole conservation.
Nepal's Action Plan
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Launched in 2025, Nepal’s first-ever Dhole Action Plan outlines a five-year roadmap (2025–2030) for protecting this endangered species. The plan allocates resources to improve scientific understanding of dhole distribution, population trends, and ecology while also investing in education, awareness, and policy integration. Approximately one-quarter of the total budget is dedicated to field surveys and ecological monitoring, while another significant portion focuses on conservation outreach and reducing human-wildlife conflict through community engagement.
A unique strength of the plan lies in its integration with broader conservation efforts. By aligning dhole protection with existing programs for tigers, leopards, and other species, Nepal is maximizing conservation impact while building support across protected landscapes. The plan also emphasizes the use of new tools—like camera traps, AI-assisted identification, and mobile reporting apps—to fill data gaps. Equally important, it encourages local stewardship and cross-border collaboration to ensure dholes thrive across Nepal’s diverse ecosystems for generations to come. |
Background on the NCSC Dhole Projects
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Our Dhole conservation project spans three landscapes in Nepal, each with its unique importance for dhole conservation. Our projects prioritize communities as the key stakeholders. Through sound research, community engagement, and habitat protection, we are dedicated to ensuring the survival of this endangered species in these critical areas.
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The Projects
1. Trijuga forest, Udaypur:
Our community conservation project in the Trijuga forest, Udaypur, is a significant effort toward dhole conservation. This landscape has shown potential for a healthy Dhole population, based on local reports during our field visits in 2014-15. During this project, we will hold workshops with the communities to develop a shared vision of biodiversity conservation, build their capacity in wildlife monitoring, and raise awareness about conservation. Through community engagement and conservation initiatives, we aim to safeguard this important population and their habitat.
Our community conservation project in the Trijuga forest, Udaypur, is a significant effort toward dhole conservation. This landscape has shown potential for a healthy Dhole population, based on local reports during our field visits in 2014-15. During this project, we will hold workshops with the communities to develop a shared vision of biodiversity conservation, build their capacity in wildlife monitoring, and raise awareness about conservation. Through community engagement and conservation initiatives, we aim to safeguard this important population and their habitat.
2. Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale:
Our ongoing work in the Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale Landscape involves camera trapping to monitor the lone dhole individual captured in this area during our previous project in 2018. This project aims to track the status and behavior of this elusive species, providing valuable insights into its presence and behavior within the region. We will build the capacity of communities in wildlife monitoring, and conduct conservation workshops to raise awareness about Dhole conservation.
3. Dona Lake-Dudh Pokhari complex:
We are conducting a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment In the unprotected forest areas of Dona Lake-Dudh Pokhari complex. We suspect that this landscape holds a good dhole population with functioning connectivity to Annapurna Conservation Area dholes. Our assessment here will contribute to a better understanding of Dhole habitat and its importance in this region.
Our ongoing work in the Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale Landscape involves camera trapping to monitor the lone dhole individual captured in this area during our previous project in 2018. This project aims to track the status and behavior of this elusive species, providing valuable insights into its presence and behavior within the region. We will build the capacity of communities in wildlife monitoring, and conduct conservation workshops to raise awareness about Dhole conservation.
3. Dona Lake-Dudh Pokhari complex:
We are conducting a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment In the unprotected forest areas of Dona Lake-Dudh Pokhari complex. We suspect that this landscape holds a good dhole population with functioning connectivity to Annapurna Conservation Area dholes. Our assessment here will contribute to a better understanding of Dhole habitat and its importance in this region.
4. Salpa Pokhari periphery (south of Makalu Barun National Park):
While we have been actively involved in conservation efforts in the three landscapes mentioned above, there is a fourth landscape that remains a priority. This landscape shares its southern border with the Makalu Barun National Park. Historically, this area has faced threats to its Dhole population due to human-wildlife conflicts. We are actively seeking funding opportunities to initiate conservation activities in this region, as we believe that the Dhole population here is particularly vulnerable and in need of urgent attention.
While we have been actively involved in conservation efforts in the three landscapes mentioned above, there is a fourth landscape that remains a priority. This landscape shares its southern border with the Makalu Barun National Park. Historically, this area has faced threats to its Dhole population due to human-wildlife conflicts. We are actively seeking funding opportunities to initiate conservation activities in this region, as we believe that the Dhole population here is particularly vulnerable and in need of urgent attention.
