Endangered Dhole Spotted for First Time in Manipur’s Shirui Village

Imphal: A camera trap in Manipur’s Ukhrul district has captured the first confirmed sighting of the endangered Asiatic wild dog, or dhole, in the forests of Shirui Village. The discovery proves the carnivore, listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, inhabits the region despite local beliefs to the contrary. The survey was led by the Ukhrul-based Environmental Force at Grassroot Level (ENFOGAL), a group that has spent eight years promoting conservation throughout the district.

Success required local expertise. Pamreithing, a former hunter turned conservationist, used his knowledge of forest trails to pinpoint the ideal camera placement. The project operated under the umbrella of the Ukhrul Forest Division and the KfW-supported Community-Based Sustainable Forest Management (COSFOM) project. Village patrol teams continue to monitor these forests to stop illegal trapping and hunting.

Patrick Shangh, co-founder of ENFOGAL, credited the local community for the find. “As a resident of Shirui Village, this discovery is deeply meaningful to me. It reflects the richness of our forests and the commitment of our community to protecting them,” he said. The Shirui Village Authority strictly enforces a ban on hunting, which experts cite as a major factor in the return of wildlife. This find marks a milestone for the region. Conservationists expect more rare species will appear in these healthy, protected forests.