Dholes are highly social Asian wild dogs facing extinction in the wild; their complex social needs make captive management challenging but essential for species survival.
Dholes in zoos require group housing with compatible pack members — solitary or paired housing fails to meet their highly social needs. Enclosures must be large enough to support the natural social dynamics of a full pack. Feeding enrichment simulating cooperative hunting — large carcasses or prey-sized items requiring collaborative effort — supports natural behavior. Their unique vocal communication should be considered in exhibit design (noise levels, proximity to other canids). Conservation value of captive dholes is high given wild population decline driven by habitat loss, prey depletion, and disease from domestic dogs.