Dholes are highly social Asian wild dogs with complex pack structures. Their welfare in captivity requires large groups, ample space, and management that supports their cooperative ecology.
Dhole welfare in captivity depends critically on pack integrity and size. Small, fragmented groups cannot express the cooperative behaviours central to dhole ecology and fail to breed successfully. Stable packs in appropriately sized enclosures show better welfare indicators including lower cortisol, higher activity diversity, and better reproductive outcomes. Their crepuscular activity patterns mean welfare observation during zoo visitor hours may miss significant proportions of their active period. Vocalisation monitoring — dholes communicate extensively through whistle calls — provides useful welfare information about social cohesion and stress.