Background: Located in the Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh, Kheoni has long been an overlooked corridor between the larger tiger reserves of Central India. The official recording of Dholes (Asiatic Wild Dogs) confirms the sanctuary’s rising ecological health.
Basics of Dholes (Cuon alpinus):
- IUCN Status: Endangered.
- WPA 1972: Schedule II.
- Behavior: They are social hunters known as "Whistling Dogs." Their presence indicates a high population of "ungulates" (deer, wild boar).
Significance for UPSC:
- Wildlife Corridors: Highlights the importance of protecting smaller sanctuaries to maintain genetic flow between larger reserves like Kanha or Pench.
- Ecosystem Balance: Dholes are "apex predators" alongside leopards; their return suggests a balanced food web.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
