Species Information

The African Wild Dog is the most endangered carnivore in the world. They are also the most social member of the dog family. The African Wild Dog is one of the few mammals who takes care of its old, sick and disabled. Wild Dogs live in socially complex packs composed of several related adult males and one or more related adult females originating from another pack. Often only the dominant bitch will rear pups successfully. They have colorful calico coats of black, yellow and white.

Their numbers have severely declined due to disease, loss of habitat and human persecution. Until recently the Wild Dog was distributed throughout much of Africa.

IUCN STATUS CATEGORY: Endangered

The wild dog's relentless pursuit of its prey and its repulsive method of killing have contributed to its decline in the wild. Bloody death by disemboweling is far more repugnant to people than dispatch by suffocation practiced by the large cats, and so the dogs have been reviled and persecuted.

Distemper and rabies, introduced by domestic dogs, have also taken a toll. Coupled with these diseases is the human encroachment on prime wild dog habitat with settlements and farms. The dogs are driven away by the mere presence of humans in their territory or killed to protect livestock.

Information Source: The African Wild Dog, Wild Dog Foundation and World Conservation Monitoring Center