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The critically endangered dhole photographed at Pu Hoat Nature Reserve. Photo: Pu Hoat Nature Reserve

Nguyen Van Sinh, director of the Pu Hoat Nature Reserve, said on May 14 that researchers captured images of the dhole (Cuon alpinus) through a camera trap system installed in the reserve’s natural forest.

It marks the first time the rare species has been photographed in the wild at Pu Hoat.

According to the reserve’s management board, the images were verified by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in Germany and later published in a scientific journal of the University of Cambridge on February 26.

Under Vietnam’s Red Data Book, the dhole is classified as CR - critically endangered - meaning it faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

The species typically inhabits old-growth forests with limited human disturbance but has suffered severe population declines due to habitat loss, depleted prey sources and prolonged hunting pressure.

For many years, dholes have rarely appeared in field studies conducted in Vietnam.

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A camera trap image showing the dhole inside Pu Hoat Nature Reserve. Photo: Pu Hoat Nature Reserve

Previously, the species was believed to inhabit only a handful of areas, including Muong Nhe, Pu Luong, Xuan Lien, Ben En, Phong Nha-Ke Bang and Bac Huong Hoa.

Although earlier documents had suggested the possible presence of dholes in Pu Hoat, this is the first time scientists have obtained actual photographic evidence of the species in its natural habitat there.

Dholes resemble domestic dogs in appearance, weighing between 8kg and 20kg, with reddish-brown fur, long legs and pack-living behaviour.

Studies show the species’ wild population has declined by more than 80% over the past three decades.

Pu Hoat Nature Reserve has previously recorded several other rare species through its camera trap system, including clouded leopards, marbled cats and jungle cats.

Thien Luong