African Wild Dog
Endangered Species Project
Background Info
The African Wild Dog is native to the open plains and sparse woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. The species is highly social and gathers in packs of around ten individuals and gather in packs of around ten individuals, but some packs number more than 40. If their numbers lower to less than 6 then hunting becomes obsolete. They are carnivorous, opportunistic predators that hunt medium-sized prey, such as gazelles. Since they're not scavengers, like the hyenas, or in competition with lions for large prey, the African Wild Dog has no natural competition.
Cause of Endangerment
Recently this species has been on the rapid decline due to human interference. The African Wild Dog is having to deal with the increasingly shrinking amount of land they have been allotted to roam in Africa. This loss of habitat coupled with their susceptibility to the diseases brought in by the domestic animals have been lowering their pack numbers. The situation has been only exacerbated by the farmers that have been actively hunting and killing them in order to protect their livestock from possible attacks. With all of this in effect, the African Wild Dog count has been lowered to about 2,000 still existing in nature.
Possible Courses of Action for Protection
Many organizations have arose in order to protect the African Wild Dog. Their objective is to combat the stigmatized image associated with the species, raise awareness of its internal part in controlling the populations of herbivorous prey, and secure more reserved areas for the African Wild Dog to safely roam.