# Dhole > The dhole (Cuon alpinus) is Asia’s wild dog. It lives in packs in the forests and savannas of Sumatra and Java; the IUCN lists it as Endangered. Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/dhole/ · Updated 14 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/ajag/ _This Markdown mirror is generated at build time from the same data as the HTML page. Cite the HTML page URL and its update date._ **Review status:** Compiled and checked against the listed sources; not yet reviewed by a specialist. ## Quick answer The dhole (*Cuon alpinus*) is a mammal in the family Canidae. Range in Indonesia: Sumatra and Java. Diet: mainly hoofed prey such as rusa deer. IUCN Red List status: Endangered. | Fact | Value | |---|---| | Scientific name | *Cuon alpinus* | | Indonesian name | Ajag | | Group | Mammals | | Family | Canidae | | Range in Indonesia | Sumatra and Java | | Linked habitats | [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/), [Savannas](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/savanna/) | | Diet | Mainly hoofed prey such as rusa deer | | Range in Indonesia | Sumatra and Java, now in scattered protected areas | | Key feature | Reddish-brown, white chin and belly, bushy dark tail | | Weight | 17–21 kg, according to Animal Diversity Web | | Other names | Asiatic wild dog, ajag, asu kikik | | Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected under Regulation P.106/2018 (annex no. 12) | | IUCN status | Endangered · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2434317) · checked 14 October 2026 | ## What is the dhole? The dhole (Cuon alpinus) is an Asian wild dog that lives and hunts in packs; in Indonesia it occurs only on Sumatra and Java. Its coat is reddish-brown with a white chin, throat and belly, and its long, bushy tail is dark. At a glance it resembles a wolf, and in parts of Java it is called asu kikik (Mongabay Indonesia). According to Animal Diversity Web, adult dholes weigh 17–21 kg and have one fewer lower molar on each side of the jaw than other members of the dog family. The IUCN classified the dhole as Endangered in its 2015 assessment, which it now flags as needing an update. Evidence: [Mongabay Indonesia (2021) — Jangan Keliru, Wujud Anjing Ajag Sekilas Mirip Serigala](https://www.mongabay.co.id/2021/02/11/jangan-keliru-wujud-anjing-ajag-sekilas-mirip-serigala/) · [Animal Diversity Web — Cuon alpinus (dhole)](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cuon_alpinus/) · [IUCN Red List — Cuon alpinus, Dhole (Kamler et al. 2015)](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/5953/72477893) ## Where does the dhole live? Dholes live in the forests and savannas of Sumatra and Java, but their range is now fragmented. The IUCN’s 2015 assessment says they once ranged across both islands. On Sumatra they were confirmed in Barisan range national parks such as Gunung Leuser, Kerinci Seblat and Bukit Barisan Selatan, and in lowland forests such as Tesso Nilo and Bukit Tigapuluh. On Java it lists confirmed records only from the far west (Ujung Kulon, Gunung Gede Pangrango, Gunung Halimun Salak) and far east (Baluran, Alas Purwo). Mongabay Indonesia (2025) adds records from Bromo Tengger Semeru and Meru Betiri, and cites Havmøller and colleagues: in 2020, dholes remained at only 25 Indonesian locations. Evidence: [IUCN Red List — Cuon alpinus, Dhole (Kamler et al. 2015)](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/5953/72477893) · [Mongabay Indonesia (2025) — Inilah Ajag, Anjing Liar yang Keberadaannya Antara Ada dan Tiada](https://mongabay.co.id/2025/02/14/inilah-ajag-anjing-liar-yang-keberadaannya-antara-ada-dan-tiada/) · [Mongabay Indonesia (2021) — Jangan Keliru, Wujud Anjing Ajag Sekilas Mirip Serigala](https://www.mongabay.co.id/2021/02/11/jangan-keliru-wujud-anjing-ajag-sekilas-mirip-serigala/) ## What does the dhole eat? The dhole is a carnivore that mainly hunts hoofed animals. The IUCN says it prefers hoofed prey of 40–60 kg, but will take smaller or larger hoofed species when prey of that size is not available. In Baluran National Park, Sandy Nurvianto’s dissertation recorded at least 20 prey species, with hoofed animals estimated to make up over 95 percent of biomass eaten (Mongabay Indonesia). In Baluran, packs usually hunt rusa deer but also eat banteng, deer and pig carcasses. Dholes are sometimes blamed for killing livestock, as with goat deaths in Kuningan, West Java, in late 2020; Mongabay Indonesia says such cases may signal falling prey in the forest. Evidence: [IUCN Red List — Cuon alpinus, Dhole (Kamler et al. 2015)](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/5953/72477893) · [Mongabay Indonesia (2025) — Inilah Ajag, Anjing Liar yang Keberadaannya Antara Ada dan Tiada](https://mongabay.co.id/2025/02/14/inilah-ajag-anjing-liar-yang-keberadaannya-antara-ada-dan-tiada/) · [Mongabay Indonesia (2021) — Jangan Keliru, Wujud Anjing Ajag Sekilas Mirip Serigala](https://www.mongabay.co.id/2021/02/11/jangan-keliru-wujud-anjing-ajag-sekilas-mirip-serigala/) ## How do dholes live in packs and breed? Dholes live in packs led by one dominant pair. Animal Diversity Web says packs number 5–12 animals, and other members help raise the dominant pair's young, including feeding the mother and pups with regurgitated meat. Gestation lasts about 60–62 days. The IUCN notes that in Southeast Asia's evergreen forests, dhole packs tend to be smaller than in India, probably because prey is scarcer. Mongabay Indonesia says dholes have a loud, clear call and sometimes hunt alone or in pairs, depending on the prey available. Evidence: [Animal Diversity Web — Cuon alpinus (dhole)](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cuon_alpinus/) · [IUCN Red List — Cuon alpinus, Dhole (Kamler et al. 2015)](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/5953/72477893) · [Mongabay Indonesia (2021) — Jangan Keliru, Wujud Anjing Ajag Sekilas Mirip Serigala](https://www.mongabay.co.id/2021/02/11/jangan-keliru-wujud-anjing-ajag-sekilas-mirip-serigala/) ## Why is the dhole endangered? Dholes are endangered because their prey is declining, their habitat is being lost and they are killed for taking livestock. The IUCN also lists disease spread from domestic dogs as a threat. Its 2015 assessment estimated a global population of 4,500–10,500 dholes, of which only 949–2,215 are mature. In Indonesia, data on dholes are very scarce. Researcher Linnea Havmøller found that only nine of 165 dhole studies in the Web of Knowledge came from Indonesia (Mongabay Indonesia). Mongabay also notes a common belief that dholes are harmful, so people hunt them to wipe them out. Evidence: [IUCN Red List — Cuon alpinus, Dhole (Kamler et al. 2015)](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/5953/72477893) · [Mongabay Indonesia (2025) — Inilah Ajag, Anjing Liar yang Keberadaannya Antara Ada dan Tiada](https://mongabay.co.id/2025/02/14/inilah-ajag-anjing-liar-yang-keberadaannya-antara-ada-dan-tiada/) · [Mongabay Indonesia (2021) — Jangan Keliru, Wujud Anjing Ajag Sekilas Mirip Serigala](https://www.mongabay.co.id/2021/02/11/jangan-keliru-wujud-anjing-ajag-sekilas-mirip-serigala/) ## What should you do if you meet a dhole? The dhole is a protected animal: Cuon alpinus is listed as ‘anjing ajag’ at number 12 of the annex to Regulation P.106/2018. If you meet dholes, keep your distance and do not approach, chase, catch, poison or kill them. If livestock is attacked, report it to the nearest BKSDA or national park office so that officers can deal with it. Do not take or release pet dogs into dhole habitat, because the IUCN lists disease from domestic dogs as one of the threats. Photos or videos of dholes with their location also help officers, because data on the species in Indonesia are still very limited. Evidence: [JDIH Kementerian Kehutanan — Lampiran Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi](https://jdih.kehutanan.go.id/new2/uploads/files/P_106_2018_JENIS_TSL_menlhk_07252019152513.pdf) · [IUCN Red List — Cuon alpinus, Dhole (Kamler et al. 2015)](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/5953/72477893) · [Mongabay Indonesia (2025) — Inilah Ajag, Anjing Liar yang Keberadaannya Antara Ada dan Tiada](https://mongabay.co.id/2025/02/14/inilah-ajag-anjing-liar-yang-keberadaannya-antara-ada-dan-tiada/) ## Scientific classification of the Dhole | Rank | Name | |---|---| | Kingdom | Animalia | | Phylum | Chordata | | Class | Mammalia | | Order | Carnivora | | Family | Canidae | | Genus | *Cuon* | | Species | *Cuon alpinus* | Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c) ## Common questions about the dhole ### What is the scientific name of the dhole? The scientific name of the dhole is *Cuon alpinus*, in the family Canidae. In Indonesian it is called Ajag. ### Where does the dhole live in Indonesia? In Indonesia, this guide records the dhole in: Sumatra and Java. Source-supported habitats: [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/), [Savannas](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/savanna/). ### What does the dhole eat? Diet of the dhole: mainly hoofed prey such as rusa deer. ### What are the main features of the dhole? Key features of the dhole, from this guide’s sources: Key feature: reddish-brown, white chin and belly, bushy dark tail; Weight: 17–21 kg, according to Animal Diversity Web. ### What is the scientific classification of the dhole? Scientific classification of the dhole: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Carnivora, family Canidae, genus *Cuon*, species *Cuon alpinus*. Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology. ### Is the dhole endangered? Yes. On the IUCN Red List, the dhole is listed as Endangered: it is considered to face a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2434317), checked 14 October 2026. This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the dhole is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/protected/) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office). ## Sources & references 1. [Animal Diversity Web — Cuon alpinus (dhole)](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cuon_alpinus/) 2. [Mongabay Indonesia (2021) — Jangan Keliru, Wujud Anjing Ajag Sekilas Mirip Serigala](https://www.mongabay.co.id/2021/02/11/jangan-keliru-wujud-anjing-ajag-sekilas-mirip-serigala/) 3. [Mongabay Indonesia (2025) — Inilah Ajag, Anjing Liar yang Keberadaannya Antara Ada dan Tiada](https://mongabay.co.id/2025/02/14/inilah-ajag-anjing-liar-yang-keberadaannya-antara-ada-dan-tiada/) 4. [JDIH Kementerian Kehutanan — Lampiran Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi](https://jdih.kehutanan.go.id/new2/uploads/files/P_106_2018_JENIS_TSL_menlhk_07252019152513.pdf) 5. [IUCN Red List — Cuon alpinus, Dhole (Kamler et al. 2015)](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/5953/72477893) 6. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c) ## Keep exploring - [Agile gibbon](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/agile-gibbon/) - [Agile wallaby](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/agile-wallaby/) - [Banteng](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/banteng/) - [Bawean deer](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/bawean-deer/) - [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/) - [Savannas](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/savanna/) --- Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Dhole. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/dhole/