Wild dogs
African wild dogs are the largest wild canines in Africa. These carnivorous canines, native to sub-Saharan Africa, are also known as painted or Cape hunting dogs.
An estimated 6,600 adults are spread across 39 subpopulations.
African wild dogs are among the most endangered mammals in the world. They are heavily threatened by habitat reduction and fragmentation, human targeting, and disease outbreaks.
The IUCN Red List has classified them as threatened since 1990.
Wild dogs need your help
Habitat loss and fragmentation are the major threats to wild dogs. As human populations grow, the need for increased areas for agriculture, roads, and housing grows. The natural habitat of wild dogs is lost to this urban growth, resulting in smaller and disconnected or fragmented patches of land for them to occupy.
This habitat reduction and fragmentation increases human-wildlife conflict, increases competition for food and territory with other large predators such as lions, and also increases the risk of disease outbreaks within small populations. Due to the increasing human-wildlife conflict, wild dog populations have declined for over two decades.
Quick facts
- The African wild dog is easily identified by its painted coat of blotchy cream, and white and black patches. Each individual has a unique coat pattern, which other individuals (and humans) can use for identification.
- Wild dogs are diurnal hunters, meaning they are active during the day. They hunt for diverse prey, including zebras, antelopes and gazelles, birds, warthogs, wildebeest and, in large packs, even giraffes.
- Like other top predators, wild dogs play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem health by removing sick, weak or old animals.
- They are efficient hunters, using their advanced social and cooperation skills and high stamina to ensure the successful capture of prey.
- Wild dogs can maintain long-distance speeds of up to 35 mph (56 km/h), and a singular pack will roam over a large distance (97 square miles or 250 square km), sometimes covering over 31 miles (50 km) per day.
- Wild dogs live between 10 and 12 years and live in diverse habitats, from dense forests to open plains.
- The largest populations of wild dogs are in southern and southeast Africa, specifically in Tanzania and northern Mozambique. Only four populations remain.
- They live in packs, which average between seven and 15 members but can sometimes be as large as 40.
- Wild dogs have the most complex and unique social hierarchy out of the carnivores. Pack members cooperate in caring for weaker or sicker individuals and show little aggression toward each other. The pack is led by a dominant pair, usually the only members who mate for life. Below them are the other adults, and at the bottom are the pups. This intricate social structure ensures the survival and well-being of the pack.
- Communication among wild dogs is achieved through various vocalisations. They use alarm barks to warn the pack of danger, long-distance calls to locate each other, and hunting howls to coordinate during a hunt. Complex greetings occur within packs and are accompanied by whining and chirping, strengthening the bonds between pack members.
- The saying “it takes a village” definitely applies to these pack animals. Both male and female wild dogs will take turns babysitting and hunting for the pack’s pups.
- Litters are quite large, but due to the many threats that wild dogs face, very few pups survive to maturity, so the entire pack takes extra care to ensure their survival.
Threats to wild dogs
They are often shot or poisoned by farmers who blame wild dogs for livestock deaths.
Wild dogs have been given an unfair reputation as “ruthless killers” for their hunting methods. However, they are no different from other large predators and only hunt out of necessity for survival, which is hardly a controllable act.
What can you do to help save wild dogs?
Protected areas are an effective solution for protecting wild dog populations. The installation of “wildlife corridors” also helps mitigate the effects of habitat fragmentation and allows for the safe passage of wild dogs between urban areas. Ultimately, these solutions work to reduce human-wildlife conflict, thus reducing people’s impact on these endangered animals.
ASI works with partners specializing in the protection and rehabilitation of wild dogs. Read about our previous work with wild dogs and sign up to stay up to date on our latest work with the species.
