The Asiatic Wild Dog, also known as the Dhole (5 letters), is a species of canid native to Central, South and Southeast Asia. It is a highly social animal, living in large clans which occasionally split up into small packs to hunt prey. The Dhole is an apex predator and is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to ongoing habitat loss, depletion of its prey base, competition from other predators, persecution, and disease.