One of the native wildlife species of Africa, the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) also known as the painted or hunting dog is a member of the Lycaon genus. This distinguishes it from other members of the Canine family, such as dogs, wolves, and jackals. African wild dogs have a lifespan of 8-12 years in the wild. An adult measures about 1 meter in length and weighs between 18 to 36 kilograms (40-79) pounds, making it relatively smaller than the spotted hyenas.
Each animal has a unique color pattern with patches of black, white, yellow, and brown fur and the tip of the tail is white. Females have a gestation period of 70 days. Each can produce over 10 pups which are born blind in a den with their mother where they stay for 3 weeks being taken care of by other members in a pack. A single pack can consist of 7 to 40 members who cooperate in hunting and killing prey such as bushbucks, topis, and warthogs and then carry fresh to the mother and pups or wounded and sick members, making them highly social animals. African wild dogs communicate using vocalizations that produce high pitch sounds including barking, howling, and whining.
The predators live in a variety of habitat ranges from dense forests to open savanna plains in South, East, and West Africa. According to African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), there are 6,600 individuals in the wild and the population is thought to be declining except in South Africa. The major threats to the survival of African wild dogs are habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife due to increasing human population around protected areas. In most cases the wild dogs become victims and are shot and poisoned when other predators attack and kill livestock. In Uganda wild dogs became extinct in Kidepo valley national park, however. After almost 20 years, the predators have resurfaced again,
AWF has been working protect wildlife through mitigating human-wildlife conflicts and engaging local communities. For instance, over 12 members of the local communities adjacent to Samburu national park in northern Kenya were trained as scouts to protect and monitor the movement of the wild dogs in partnership with livestock farmers thereby preventing any possible attacks and conflicts.
Where to see African wild dogs in East Africa
Tanzania
Tanzania has over 500 African wild dogs of which almost half of them are found in Nyerere (formerly Selous game reserve) and also in Katavi national parks and Ngorongoro crater. Selous and Katavi along with Ruaha are situated in the remote southern safari circuit. The parks offer unique activities including game drives, guided walking safaris and boat rides which aren’t available in Ngorongoro.
Kenya
African wild dog conservation in Kenya is conducted in Laikipia plains, Samburu national park and Masai Mara national reserve. Masai Mara’s wild dogs are mostly protected in private and community conservancies that border the reserve. For instance, the Elephant pepper in north Mara; Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp at the northern border of Masai Mara and Kicheche Bush Camp in Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
Laikipia plains
Laikipia is situated in the semi arid wilderness at the end of the eastern escarpment of the rift valley in northern Kenya. The wilderness area covers 3,650 sq. km. With a variety of habitats including savanna plains, forests, escarpments, river valleys, and mountain ranges. It is one of the largest single contiguous areas of land that is compatible for wildlife conservation in East Africa. Laikipia holds some of Kenya’s best community run conservancies famous for harboring over 95 species of mammals including over 200 Africa Wild Dogs with individuals in 17 packs, which is the sixth largest in Africa; half of Kenya’s Black rhinos (Diceros bicornis), over 7,000 elephants including those in the Greater Samburu ecosystem and 250 lions (15% of Kenya’s total lion population). In addition to the Big Five animals, there are also endangered and rare species such as reticulated giraffes, cheetahs, and Grevy’s zebras. Primate species such as patas monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys are also present. Wildlife is managed on private and community lands which benefits local people. Laikipia offers a wide range of over 41 conservancies which offer a wide range of accommodations and unique activities such as guided bush walks.