Why do we need distribution updates of red dog in the Daba Mountains?
This is a working paper, devoted to the development of preliminary activities for saving creatures called dholes. Poorly known is the population of red dogs (Cuon alpinus) in this part of Asia, central regions of China. Analysis of population status using non-invasive monitoring (signs counting, hair-traps, remote cameras), questionnaire-based survey of villages, museum specimens review are key aspects of bias-free investigation for understanding of species and its current condition. As far as we know, the animal suffered in the past by diseases, persecution, depletion of prey base and habitat loss. Some small project could reveal the life history of Cuon alpinus in parts of so-called wilderness of oriental lands. Expedition of Europeans to a wild Shennongjia would be a pioneer and important job for evidencing the species, which is still disappearing on the planet Earth. Field job, intelligence work and bureau actions are the following aspects of this small project.Imagine yourself that a French Institute of Science and Tech and natural history museum from Stockholm are engaged in revealing the secrets of dholes in mountainous Central China. It is a great idea, but we could be engaged for such an important job not longer than for 2–3 years. The job routine of the team is as follows: researchers get up early and then take a shower, eat breakfast and drink cup of coffee, go to the field, there are measurements in the wild, driving a 4x4 car in the wild, operating drones, collecting scats and non-invasive equipment as well as observing creatures. Later during the day, the scientists and volunteers should analyze the data, recharge batteries, eat dinner and drink health drinks, take a break free and so on. They can also visit a bazaar in a small city, where wild animals are deposited. Evening is a time for resting, sports, playing ancient Chinese games and watching TV docs.
As we see a map of informations based on range and natural history of a dhole, the carnivorous mammal, Central China remains as an arcane and blank on a map. Papers on distribution updates and mitigating human-dhole conflicts are needed.
posted Tomasz Pietrzak, BSc in life science, author is engaged with league-scientifique project. Contact by echl.league.scientific@gmail.com
