New distribution record of dhole from southern Kyrgyzstan using non-invasive genetic sampling
Abstract
The dhole (Cuon alpinus) is a globally endangered social canid with a declining population trend throughout its range. Once widely distributed across Asia, this habitat generalist now occupies a very fragmented range, with no confirmed reports in more than 30 years across the Altai, Tian Shan, and Pamir mountain ranges. Here, we report a new record of the species using non-invasive genetic sampling in the Bek-Tosot Conservancy in the Min-Teke area of Chon Alai of the Osh region in southern Kyrgyzstan. This new genetic record may represent the most northern published detection to date. Our finding adds important knowledge on the potentially expanding range of this little-studied species and marks the possible presence of an undetected dhole population in the Pamir mountains.