A lone dhole (Cuon alpinus), also known as the Asiatic wild dog, was photographed in Panshet (Pune district) on September 6, during a field survey by Dr Sonali Shinde and her team. This is the first confirmed photographic evidence of the endangered species in the Panshet region. Though Panshet is not a protected forest, it’s primarily a dam catchment area with fragmented secondary forests, this sighting shows dholes can survive in human-dominated landscapes too. Experts say it underlines the importance of ecological corridors connecting wildlife sanctuaries and non-protected zones. With global mature population numbers dwindling (around 2k), every new record is significant.
