Distribution and potential habitat of the Vulnerable Himalayan wolf Canis lupus chanco in Bhutan

The rare Himalayan wolf Canis lupus chanco is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and there is limited knowledge of its ecology and distribution. In Bhutan, the Himalayan wolf is one of the least known carnivores. Our aims in this study were to map the current distribution of the wolf in...

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Main Authors: Tashi Dhendup, Letro, Tandin, Sonam Wangdi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2025-01-01
Series:Oryx
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Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605324000127/type/journal_article
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author Tashi Dhendup
Letro
Tandin
Sonam Wangdi
author_facet Tashi Dhendup
Letro
Tandin
Sonam Wangdi
author_sort Tashi Dhendup
collection DOAJ
description The rare Himalayan wolf Canis lupus chanco is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and there is limited knowledge of its ecology and distribution. In Bhutan, the Himalayan wolf is one of the least known carnivores. Our aims in this study were to map the current distribution of the wolf in Bhutan and to identify potential habitats within the country. We compiled 32 records of wolf presence from camera-trap surveys and, using a maximum entropy approach, we estimated a potential habitat of 2,431 km2, comprising c. 6.3% of Bhutan. However, wolf presence was localized and non-continuous. We recommend a detailed fine-scale habitat analysis in areas of potential habitat and genetic studies to investigate population structure. Knowledge of these matters will provide insights regarding connectivity and facilitate the development of conservation strategies for this threatened wolf.
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spelling doaj-art-791077f39e1d4cd3bb6f0b91fa44d05f2025-08-20T01:50:07ZengCambridge University PressOryx0030-60531365-30082025-01-015911912210.1017/S0030605324000127Distribution and potential habitat of the Vulnerable Himalayan wolf Canis lupus chanco in BhutanTashi Dhendup0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0574-6218 Letro1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2042-4030 Tandin2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7422-7078Sonam Wangdi3Nature Conservation Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Thimphu, BhutanNature Conservation Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Thimphu, BhutanWWF Bhutan, Kawajangsa, Thimphu, BhutanNature Conservation Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Thimphu, BhutanThe rare Himalayan wolf Canis lupus chanco is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and there is limited knowledge of its ecology and distribution. In Bhutan, the Himalayan wolf is one of the least known carnivores. Our aims in this study were to map the current distribution of the wolf in Bhutan and to identify potential habitats within the country. We compiled 32 records of wolf presence from camera-trap surveys and, using a maximum entropy approach, we estimated a potential habitat of 2,431 km2, comprising c. 6.3% of Bhutan. However, wolf presence was localized and non-continuous. We recommend a detailed fine-scale habitat analysis in areas of potential habitat and genetic studies to investigate population structure. Knowledge of these matters will provide insights regarding connectivity and facilitate the development of conservation strategies for this threatened wolf.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605324000127/type/journal_articleBhutancamera-trap surveysCanis lupus chancodistributionHimalayan wolfMaxEntmaximum entropy
spellingShingle Tashi Dhendup
Letro
Tandin
Sonam Wangdi
Distribution and potential habitat of the Vulnerable Himalayan wolf Canis lupus chanco in Bhutan
Oryx
Bhutan
camera-trap surveys
Canis lupus chanco
distribution
Himalayan wolf
MaxEnt
maximum entropy
title Distribution and potential habitat of the Vulnerable Himalayan wolf Canis lupus chanco in Bhutan
title_full Distribution and potential habitat of the Vulnerable Himalayan wolf Canis lupus chanco in Bhutan
title_fullStr Distribution and potential habitat of the Vulnerable Himalayan wolf Canis lupus chanco in Bhutan
title_full_unstemmed Distribution and potential habitat of the Vulnerable Himalayan wolf Canis lupus chanco in Bhutan
title_short Distribution and potential habitat of the Vulnerable Himalayan wolf Canis lupus chanco in Bhutan
title_sort distribution and potential habitat of the vulnerable himalayan wolf canis lupus chanco in bhutan
topic Bhutan
camera-trap surveys
Canis lupus chanco
distribution
Himalayan wolf
MaxEnt
maximum entropy
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605324000127/type/journal_article
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