African Wild Dog | Species

Species
African Wild Dog

Species
African Wild Dog

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Overview
Threats
What WWF is Doing
How You Can Help
Adopt an African Wild Dog

Overview

Status
Endangered
Population
estimated at 3,000–5,500
Scientific Name
Lycaon pictus
Height
30 inches
Weight
40-70 pounds
Length
30-56 inches
Habitats
Deserts, Forests, Grasslands

The wild dog is one of the world’s most endangered mammals. The largest populations remain in southern Africa and the southern part of East Africa (especially Tanzania and northern Mozambique).

Wild dogs are social and gather in packs of around ten individuals, but some packs number more than 40. They are opportunistic predators that hunt medium-sized ruminants, such as gazelles. In a sprint, African wild dogs can reach speeds of more than 44 miles per hour.

Map data provided by IUCN.

Places
Coastal East Africa
Habitats
Forest Habitat, Grasslands, Deserts

Browse Photos & Videos

Calling KAZA Home: The Animals of Southern Africa

The Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) crosses five southern African countries and protects 109 million acres of land. The breadth and variety of wildlife in KAZA is astounding.

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Threats

Population estimated at 3,000–5,500
Extinction Risk Endangered
1. EX
  Extinct
  
  No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died
2. EW
  Extinct in the Wild
  
  Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population
3. CR
  Critically Endangered
  
  Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the Wild
4. EN
  Endangered
  
  Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild
5. VU
  Vulnerable
  
  Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild
6. NT
  Near Threatened
  
  Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future
7. LC
  Least Concern
  
  Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened

Major threats to the survival of wild dogs include accidental and targeted killings by humans, viral diseases like rabies and distemper, habitat loss and competition with larger predators like lions. Conflicts occur when wild dogs come in contact with people whose livelihoods rest largely on livestock and agriculture. Problems arise when expanding human activities decrease the habitat for available prey for wild dogs.

What WWF Is Doing

Creation of protected areas and protection of major wildlife corridors benefit species such as the African wild dog. In southern Tanzania and northern Mozambique, WWF works to protect important wildlife corridors between major game reserves. We also work to reduce conflict with humans.

Experts

Matthew Lewis Senior Program Officer, African Species, Species Conservation Program

How You Can Help

Support WWF

Show your love of the tiger with the WWF BankAmericard Cash Rewards Visa credit card. Bank of America will contribute $100 to WWF for each account opened and activated.

Adopt an African Wild Dog

Make a symbolic African wild dog adoption to help save some of the world's most endangered animals from extinction and support WWF's conservation efforts.