Prey Composition of Post-denning Dhole (Cuon alpinus) in South Wayanad Forest Division, Kerala, India

Dhole (Cuon alpinus) prey composition in South Wayanad Forest Division, Kerala was investigated from May 2017 to July 2017. Dhole scats were collected from 28 selected forest trails and roads, a total distance of 138.94 km was surveyed in the study area. Encounter rate of Dhole scats across habitat varied, with higher encounter rate in the Shola Grassland (1.76/km), followed by Tea and Cardamom plantation. The average encounter rate of Dhole scats for the study area was 2.74 scats/km. A total of 80 Dhole scats were analysed microscopically by comparing hair samples with standard key and reference slides of known species. A total of 12 prey species were identified belonging to different size classes and 25% of the scats samples were found to be having multiple prey species. The relative contribution of each prey species was stabilized in the diets of Dhole at 65th scat sample. Brillouin’s index of the diversity of prey species was 0.55. The most common and the largest ungulate species, Sambar was constituted 69.68%, followed by Wild Pig (15.48%). Dholes occasionally prey on domestic cattle, constituted 2.81%. The lesser percent of livestock in the diet of Dhole indicating a lower level of conflict in the study area during the study period. Land-use changes and conversion of revenue forest areas into human habitation are threats to Dhole and its prey species in South Wayanad Forest Division.