African Wild Dog

Range and Conservation Status

African Wild Dogs have disappeared from much of their former range (see map). They are currently found only in about 14 countries in Africa, with viable populations in only eight countries (Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe).

Population densities for African wild dogs vary considerably, but in no instances can they be considered a high density species (some of the highest densities ever recorded are only c. 4 dogs per 100km² average 2 per 100km²). Because pack size is so variable (even within a single pack over the course of a single year), it is more meaningful to talk about the number of packs – or breeding units – as the unit for wild dog populations.

There are currently estimated to be only 660 packs (or breeding females) left in the wild. This is about 6,600 adults and yearlings in 39 subpopulations of which only 1,400 are mature individuals. Population size is continuing to decline as a result of ongoing habitat fragmentation, conflict with human activities, and infectious disease.

Wild dogs are not listed on CITES (because they are generally not traded) and are listed on Appendix 2 of the Convention of Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS).

AFRICAN COUNTRIES WITH WILD DOGS

AFRICAN WILD DOG PACKS LEFT IN THE WILD

Physical Characteristics

African wild dogs are slender, long legged canids with individually unique coat patterns of black, brown, white and tan fur. Unlike other dogs, which have a fifth toe, a dewclaw, on their forelegs, wild dogs have only four toes per foot. They have characteristically large, rounded ears, black muzzles and tails tipped with white. Adults measure 75-110 cm in length and stand about 75cm at the shoulder. Average weight is 23-26kg. East and West African dogs tend to be smaller than those in South Africa. Males are usually larger than females in all regions. African Wild Dogs differ from other members of the canidae family in that they only have four toes on each paw instead of five as they lack dew claws (which is the fifth digit on other canids). African Wild Dogs have around 42 teeth including premolars that are much larger than in other canids allowing it to consume large amounts of bone.

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HEIGHT OF WILD DOGS AT THE SHOULDER

NUMBER OF TEETH WILD DOGS HAVE

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AVERAGE WEIGHT OF WILD DOGS

NUMBER OF TOES WILD DOGS HAVE

Behaviour and Social Structure

African Wild Dogs are specialised social canids that live in packs of between 2 and 40 individuals; packs used to be larger before the population declined so much. The pack is usually dominated by a monogamous breeding pair; the alpha male and female. Males and females each have their own hierarchies with the oldest female being the dominant individual. Wild dogs are very sociable animals and have a submissive based hierarchy rather than a dominant one. Dominance is established without any fighting or blood-shed. Even over food, an individual will energetically beg rather than get into conflict. This non-aggressive approach is emphasised perhaps because if any injuries occur, the pack will be short of hunters and unable to provide as much for its members.

After a gestation period of around 70 days, the female will produce a litter of 2 to 21 pups (average c. 7-10), which are born in a den, and first emerge at about three weeks of age.

Pups are born in an underground den or another animals abandoned den (usually an Aardvark). Pups are weaned around 10-12 weeks and when they reach 3 months, they leave the den to begin running with the pack. They are able to kill small prey at 11 months and can fend for themselves at around 14 months. Pups are able to breed when they reach sexual maturity at between 12 – 18 months.

Denning season – when the pack is confined to the den to raise the litter of pups – usually lasts about three months (usually between late April and September in southern Africa). Den sites are typically burrows excavated by aardvarks (often expanded by warthogs or porcupines), or caves and crevices in rocky areas.

African wild dogs are very social, and packs have been known to share food and to assist weak or ill members. Social interactions are common, and the dogs communicate by touch, actions, and vocalizations. They often hunt as a cooperative unit; in a sprint, African wild dogs can reach speeds of more than 44 miles per hour and prey will most often be able to gallop somewhat faster. However, prey will eventually be chased down over distances of 6 kilometres (3.5 miles). Typical hunts are seen more as an endurance chase. During these long distance chases, Wild Dogs will spread out to prevent prey from any sideways escape attempts. The preys zig-zagging evasive movements which would normally confuse a lone hunter such as a Cheetah, are ineffective against the pack of wild dogs.

Wild dogs are crepuscular, favouring the early mornings and evenings for hunting. They are not particularly active at night, except around the full moon. They are a wide-ranging, low density species and need vast areas of intact habitat to support a viable population. A single pack can range over 3,000km², but average home ranges tend to be more in the region of 300-800km². During the denning season, home ranges are severely restricted, often to as small as 80km².

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TOP SPEED OF A WILD DOG

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AVERAGE LIFESPAN OF A WILD DOG

Habitat and Diet

Wild dogs are almost exclusively hunters and rarely scavenge. Packs typically hunt antelopes, particularly impala in Southern Africa, and will also tackle much larger prey, such as wildebeests, particularly if their quarry is ill or injured, and if they are hunting as a pack. Contrary to popularly held misperceptions, African wild dogs are quick and efficient killers, which rarely kill more than then they can eat.

As human settlements expand, and the wild dogs come into contact with livestock, they can predate on goats or sheep and occasionally calves. However, they are easily scared off by people, so significant damage is rare. Unfortunately, they are often hunted and killed by misinformed farmers who fear for their domestic animals or their own safety, although wild dogs are not a danger to people.

African wild dogs are habitat generalists and can survive in a wide range of environments; there is historical evidence of them near the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and in the sea off the Kenyan coast. Nowadays, they typically roam the open plains and sparse woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa.

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AMOUNT OF MEAT A WILD DOG WILL EAT PER DAY

Threats and Conservation Action

The biggest threat to African wild dogs is habitat loss and fragmentation and thus the most impactful interventions necessarily involve protecting and expanding habitats and creating and protecting areas of connectivity between isolated habitat fragments.

Working to reduce the illegal bushmeat trade is also key to reducing wild dog deaths from wire snares. In addition, community engagement and education is important to address negative misperceptions and to help encourage tolerance though reducing livestock losses and providing benefits.

The RWCP works with a wide range of conservation programs, field projects and government wildlife authorities to promote and support interventions and activities that directly and effectively address these threats.

Should you wish to support any such efforts, please contact any one of us, and we will direct you to suitable programs or organisations.

Solutions

The CCI works with a wide range of conservation programs, field projects and government wildlife authorities to promote and support interventions and activities that directly and effectively address these threats.