An African wild dog. Source: npr.org.
The African wild dog is one of the world’s most endangered species. Found primarily in South Africa, Tanzania, and northern Mozambique, the wild dog is one of the most efficient hunters in the world, with a kill rate of over 85 percent. Their impressive stamina, lean frames, top-end speed of over 44 miles per hour, and combined strength as a pack aid their pursuit of gazelles, wildebeest, and impalas. Wild dogs are also rather social animals, gathering in packs ranging from ten to forty dogs.
Since 1990, African wild dogs have been endangered; as of now, there are only an estimated 5000 individuals remaining across Africa. Their geographical range has shrunk on an international scale—African wild dogs inhabit only 14 of the 39 countries that they previously did. Their population decline is a result of several factors, the first being competition from lions and other predators. Lions drive wild dogs to the outer reaches of their territory and target wild dog pups—eliminating future competition. Hyenas frequently scare wild dogs off of their kill as well, robbing them of their hard-fought meal. Competition with other species results in the dogs coming into contact with human populations and livestock, putting the dogs’ lives at risk.
A trio of African wild dogs. Source: biographic.com.
Habitat loss has also played a significant role in wild dog endangerment. Wild dogs require large spaces of land to thrive, as they are a nomadic species that needs to be able to travel great distances to hunt and avoid competition with other carnivores. However, suitable habitat has become more and more scarce. Wild dogs used to roam freely across 80 percent of the African continent, but with an increasing human population requiring more and more land, wild dog habitat has shrunk significantly. In addition, increasing human infrastructure has fragmented wild dog territory into smaller and smaller pieces, further threatening the species.
More specifically, most of their habitat and population loss over the last century can be attributed to an increase in farming. Not only do farms eat up precious African wild dog territory, but farmers, attributing cheetah and leopard attacks on their livestock to wild dogs, are known to shoot or poison wild dogs—another threat to the already dwindling numbers of the wild dog population. There are several factors for the decline of the African wild dog population, but learning to coexist peacefully with them is the biggest step we can take to save this magnificent species.