The African Wild Dogs Facts: Why they are Endangered?

Africa Facts Zone presents African wild dogs one of Africa’s most lethal and impressive predators.

The IUCN Red List classifies these creatures as “critically endangered,” with fewer than 5,000 of them remaining in the wild.

What can be done to prevent the African wild dog from extinction is the subject of this article.

What is a wild dog in Africa?

At sunrise, the savannah glows with luminescent fur. Hunting in a pack, wild dogs are out in force.

They split up to pursue their prey in silence.

They don’t stop either.

These predators have the stamina and coordination to take down any of Africa’s antelopes, which is why they’re so dangerous.

African wild dogs are comparable in size and weight to medium-sized domestic dogs like the Labrador Retriever.

In the same way that fingerprints are unique, each animal has a painted coat of fur.

Dogs in the wild have longer legs and four toes on their front foot, as well as distinctive rounder ears.

When it comes to domestic dogs and wild dogs, they are not compatible.

Why the African Wild Dogs Endangered?

First, let’s take a look at some of the statistics about population decline.

The conservation status, distribution, and population of the African wild dog are all included here.

The IUCN Red List classifies the African wild dog as critically endangered because of its declining numbers.

Wild dogs once supposedly roamed all of Africa. In practically every ecosystem in Africa, from the savannah to the mountains to the plains and woodland, they are adept and adaptive hunters.

However, they are now extinct in North Africa and have been wiped out in 25 of the 39 African countries in which they once thrived.

Only a few populations remain in sub-Saharan Africa. As many as 40 individuals can be found in packs roaming the remote wilderness areas of northern Botswana and Zambia.

Population of African Wild Dogs

How many African wild dogs are left in the wild? Between 3000 and 5000 wild dogs are estimated to exist, which works out to about 600 to 1000 packs.

As a result of this population’s dispersion, it is difficult to estimate exact numbers. The second most endangered carnivore on the earth is the African wild dog (after the Egyptian wolf).

Wild dog populations can’t be tracked statistically, so there’s no way to know if they’re rising or declining. Safari industry experts in Africa believe the wild dog population is dwindling because they see considerably fewer of the animals than they did two decades ago.

Also Read: African Lions Plus Facts About African Lions

One reason why the African wild dog is severely endangered is the loss and fragmentation of its habitat as well as the threat of snaring, other predators also pose a hazard to the African wild dog.

All of Africa’s predators are vying for survival. Leopards, lions, wild dogs, hyenas, and cheetahs are all included here. When food is scarce, only the strongest will be able to survive.

Smaller wild dog bands can also be intimidated by brown, striped, and spotted hyenas.

When it comes to hunting, wild dogs are Africa’s greatest success story, yet they are no match for lions.

All predators face competition in their daily lives. This competition between carnivores must be considered in conjunction with other variables for wild dogs.

As lions and other predators move into protected zones, wild dogs are driven to the outer edges.

People and livestock can get in the way of their activities here.

It is the animals on the periphery of Africa’s biodiversity that suffer the most as their habitats are depleted.

For African wild dogs, lion-free areas are where they spend most of their time, with their dens located in the areas with the lowest lion density.

Loss of habitat for African wild dogs

While roaming vast swaths of land, these sociable pack-living animals compete with other predators on a daily basis. They require a lot of room to thrive. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to locate this kind of place.

Protected habitats are essential for wild dogs. Over eighty percent of Africa was uninhabited when European colonists first arrived.

The majority of these endangered dogs are migratory and travel long distances in search of food.

Wild dog populations can only exist in big wildernesses and national parks because of this way of life and hunting.

The Kruger National Park is home to a significant population, spanning about 20,000 square kilometres. There are 400–500 dogs in this area, but seeing any of them requires a minimum of a three-night expedition.

There is less space and food for predators in other parts of Africa because of habitat degradation. Dogs who have been evicted from their natural habitat are eventually unable to support themselves.

Fragmentation of the African wild dog’s natural habitat

Habitat loss appears to be irreversible, like many of Africa’s endangered species. Natural migratory paths are cut up by roads and towns.

The rapid growth in population has necessitated the acquisition of more land for both residential and agricultural purposes. There’s not enough room for everything.

A road through a national park, for instance, necessitates only a minuscule portion of the park’s territory.

As a result, it restricts the movement of species. This is bad news for wild dogs since they have to travel over great distances to complete their job.

Wild dog populations are concentrated in northern Botswana and Zambia.

The Kavango-Zambezi (Kaza) Transfrontier Conservation Area, which will be the world’s largest conservation area, includes this area.

Upon completion, it will span five nations and measure roughly the same size as Italy.

The Kavango-Zambezi project has been a great success storey. International cooperation is helping to reassemble fragmented habitats.

Also Read: Why is the Pangolin Endangered? The Most Trafficked Animal In The World

The African Wild Dog Habitat

African wild dogs can be found in the most numbers in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique.

You can find them in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe, an enormous African wild dog pack. Also a trip to northern Botswana, encompassing the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango, the Linyanti Private Concession, and the Chobe National Park.

Wild dogs can be seen in the wild at South Luangwa National Park in Zambia.