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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
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- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
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- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
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- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
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- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
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- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // Research grants // Our worldwide projects // Learning to live with Asiatic wild dogs

Learning to live with Asiatic wild dogs

Learning-to-live-with-wild-dogs---Previously-Recorded-Dhole-Friends-for-Nature-2

Recolonisation can only be successful if the threats which drove the species to extinction previously, are either completely eliminated or significantly reduced

Wild dogs get bad press

Asiatic wild dogs are a little-known species that, despite living over quite a large area of Asia, may number as few as 1,000 individuals and no more than 2,300. Large carnivores are having a hard time all around the world. As top predators they consistently come into conflict with people. This is particularly the case with livestock herders whose very livelihood is under threat when their animals are not given sufficient protection.

Wild dogs get a bad press in Nepal, almost as bad as hyenas. The fact that the Nepali word for the wild dog (bwanso) is also used to refer to the wolf is part of the problem. Bwanso is also used as a description for a ruthless or evil human being. The Gurung people in the Sikles region of the Annapurna Conservation Area compare the bwanso to an untamed wind — it can be anywhere at any time, but is difficult to control. Elders who used to see wild dogs in abundance today report very few sightings. Their numbers have drastically decreased over recent years, due to loss of prey and persecution in the mid-hills of Nepal.

Learning-to-live-with-wild-dogs-Previously-Recorded-Dhole-Friends-for-Nature — A dhole (wild dog) caught on a camera trap (Photo credit Friends for Nature)

Eliminating the threats

However, recent research in Annapurna Conservation Area revealed that the species is trying to recolonize the area. This is great news but the wild dogs will need a helping hand. PTES is providing funds for Yadav Ghimirey and his team at Friends of Nature to offer that help.

Recolonisation can only be successful if the threats which drove the species to extinction previously are either completely eliminated or significantly reduced. So Yadav and his colleagues aim to work with local people, herders and conservation area management committees to change their attitudes towards the dogs and teach them the ecological importance of the species. Top predators play an important role locally and ultimately their return will benefit the environment for everyone – including the herders.

Learning-to-live-with-wild-dogs-Setting-up-of-camera-traps-during-our-previous-survey-Yadav-Ghimirey — Setting up of camera traps (Photo credit Yadav Ghimirey)

Learning-to-live-with-wild-dogs-Dhole-Habitat-Yadav-Ghimirey-header — Setting up of camera traps (Photo credit Yadav Ghimirey)

Yadav will start to put in place conservation initiatives targeted to reduce human-wild dog conflict through innovative interventions. These include setting up a livestock insurance scheme so that community members can claim compensation when they do lose any animals. And putting up fox lights to deter the wild dogs attacking livestock at night. The dogs are returning to the area because there is sufficient wild prey now. Yadav and his team plan to help the local community take the right steps to ensure that as the dogs return, they predate wild animals and not livestock, meaning locals are happy to live alongside them again.

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