http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/african-wild-dog
Species Description
African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus) are endangered. These carnivorous predators are known for their coats, which are mottled with brown, black, and beige, and the dark brown circles surrounding their eyes. They also have large, rounded ears. The African Wild Dog is also known as the African Hunting Dog, the Cape Hunting Dog, and the Painted Wolf. They are smaller than many other African predators, at about 2.5 feet tall and 40-70 pounds. They can run faster than 44 mph, and live up to 10 years.
http://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/african-wild-dog | Wild dogs are very social and are found in packs. Each pack is usually about 10 dogs. The wild dogs hunt their prey as a pack, which allows them to kill animals much larger than they are. They hunt grazing herbivores, including gazelles, antelope, zebra, and wildebeest. Packs consist of a dominant breeding pair, their offspring, and other non-breeding adults. Only the alpha male and female reproduce. All of the wild dogs in the pack raise the pups communally. |
An interesting fact about wild dogs is that they have 4 toes instead of 5. The African wild dog is also thought to have the strongest bite of any mammal. Population and HabitatThe population of African wild dogs is only about 6,600. Wild dogs are found in Southern and East Africa, particularly in Tanzania and northern Mozambique. They live in savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands. Role in Ecosystem | https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/african-wild-dog |
Wild dogs are important to the health of their ecosystem. Wild dogs often hunt sick or injured animals. They effectively manage to “weed out” the weak members of their prey populations. In this way, wild dogs help to regulate their prey species.
Cause of Decline
Humans are the biggest threat to the African wild dog population. Humans have encroached on the wild dogs’ habitat, which puts them in increased contact with the wild dogs. The decreased habitat limits the amount of available prey that the wild dogs can access. African wild dogs often compete for prey with larger predators in the area, such as lions and hyenas. The added pressure of decreased habitat leads wild dogs to sometimes threaten livestock. Because of this, wild dogs are often shot or poisoned on sight. | http://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/african-wild-dog |
In addition, diseases can spread from domestic dogs to the wild dog population. Viral diseases, like rabies and distemper, have decreased the wild dog population.
Effect of Decline
http://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/african-wild-dog | Not much information is available about negative effects that are currently happening as wild dogs near extinction. However, we know that these animals play a role in keeping the populations of grazing herbivores in check. By hunting the weak or sick members of these species, wild dogs cause only the strong and healthy to survive and reproduce, thereby strengthening the populations of their prey species. |
Without wild dogs in the food chain, prey animals would continue to reproduce and their populations would continue to grow. This, in turn, could lead to over-grazing of the grasslands. Wild dogs are an important member of their ecosystem!
Current Conservation Efforts
There are many conservation efforts underway in order to protect wild dogs. The Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) is part of five African countries. This area acts to protect African animals and their habitat, including the African wild dog. Similarly, wild dogs are protected on the Londolozi and Sabi Sands Wildtuin Game Reserves, which allow land and wildlife rehabilitation in South Africa.
The World Wildlife Fund protects wildlife corridors between major game reserves. This prevents wild dog populations from becoming isolated, which can lead to inbreeding. The WWF also acts to reduce human-wild dog conflicts.
Many of these conservation efforts incorporate locals, as well. The African Wild Dog Conservancy (AWDC) is a nonprofit that was founded to conserve wild dogs through scientific research and education. It has a community conservation project in Kenya.
What You Can Do to Help
Support wild dog conservation programs! You can do this by visiting KAZA, Londolozi, Sabi Sands Wiltuin, or other protected areas and game reserves that are available for tourism. Many of these programs also act to engage and educate the local community, encouraging better treatment of wild dogs.
Volunteer! Zuzuland, South Africa accepts volunteers across five of its parks. For 2 weeks, you can live and work on a reserve to help endangered species, including the African Wild Dog. Donate! Along with the game reserves, the African Wildlife Foundation and the Endangered Wildlife Trust both accept donations to their wild dog conservation efforts through their websites. In addition, you can adopt an African wild dog on the WWF website. | http://www.londolozi.com/cubsden/why-is-the-african-wild-dog-an-endangered-species/ |
Speak out for these amazing animals! Education is an important step in protecting and conserving wild dog populations. By spreading the word about endangered wild dogs, you can encourage more people to help them.
Sources
https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/african-wild-dog
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/teacher_resources/best_place_species/current_top_10/african_wild_dog.cfm
http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/african_wild_dog.html
http://www.animalinfo.org/species/carnivor/lycapict.htm
http://www.londolozi.com/cubsden/why-is-the-african-wild-dog-an-endangered-species/
http://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/african-wild-dog
http://www.ourendangeredworld.com/species/land-mammals/african-wild-dog/
http://wildlifeact.com/volunteer/south-africa/endangered-species-conservation/
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/teacher_resources/best_place_species/current_top_10/african_wild_dog.cfm
http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/african_wild_dog.html
http://www.animalinfo.org/species/carnivor/lycapict.htm
http://www.londolozi.com/cubsden/why-is-the-african-wild-dog-an-endangered-species/
http://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/african-wild-dog
http://www.ourendangeredworld.com/species/land-mammals/african-wild-dog/
http://wildlifeact.com/volunteer/south-africa/endangered-species-conservation/