"So, you study wild dogs," the new-to-town expatriate remarked. "Do you like wild dogs?" he pursued suspiciously. I was somewhat taken aback. "Yes," was the obvious response, but I felt that wasn't enough to satisfy his curiosity. "I've heard they are like dingos, but related to hyenas. Viscious creatures. Aren't you afraid of them?" he continued. I was just about to utter a frustrated "No, No, No" when I stopped to remind myself that he was simply a product of misinformation.

There is no species known to have suffered as much from malice and hatred (except perhaps for the single exception of the North American wolf) than the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus). Beliefs of their fierce nature have been born of rationalisation, misinformation, fear and folklore. Travel diaries from early explorers reveal tales of the "savage beasts who tear apart anything in their path, kill more than they can consume and even kill their own kin".

Indigenous peoples throughout Africa typically fear for their own safety around wild dogs despite the fact there has never been a confirmed observation of a wild dog attack on a human. It is certainly true that wild dogs kill livestock. Farmers and ranchers who suffer from livestock loss have been predisposed to dislike them. Fortunately, recent international interest is helping to dispel the myths surrounding these animals and to expose the issues that have contributed to their now threatened status, whittling a path for their long term survival.

"African wild dogs," I began in response, "suffer from commonly held negative attitudes towards them. Part of this may be due to the name itself. Contrary to the image a wild dog may conjure in one's mind, wild dogs are not feral domestic dogs, they are not related to hyenas nor are they the savage, brutal killers they are so often described as.

"They are a unique wild species of canid that diverged from the wolf lineage over two million years ago. Like most large canids, wild dogs are highly social and live in packs of related individuals averaging 8-10 members. They display an extremely bonded social system that is characterised by co-operative interactions. The dominant male and female are typically the only pair to reproduce. The remaining pack members co-operate to care for their pups.

"Unlike many other socially organised species, wild dogs are exceptionally tolerant and amicable with each other. They are extremely efficient at dispatching their prey quickly, hunt with over a 30% rate of success, and always allow the youngest members of the pack to eat first.

"And yes", I added, "I do like wild dogs."

Wild dogs are endemic to Africa and once ranged abundantly in 33 countries throughout the whole of the eastern, central and southern continent. All of Africa's wild dog populations are at risk of extinction, but the current status is "endangered" in east Africa and "vulnerable" in southern Africa. It is estimated that fewer than 5,000 individuals remain in the wild and their range is now limited to 15 countries where they are restricted to isolated protected areas.

Research projects are ongoing in the four remaining large populations and findings suggest that there are at least 500-800 wild dogs in the Selous game reserve in Tanzania, 350 in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, an estimated 700-800 in the Okavango Delta region of northern Botswana, and another 350-400 in South Africa's Kruger National Park.

Individual packs and small isolated sub-populations exist between these, but their survival is decidedly dependent upon the continuing health of these larger more stable populations.

To understand what 5,000 individuals means in terms of their fragility and potential success, one must focus on their co-operative social structure and pack organisation. Because the average pack size is ten, 5,000 dogs equates to approximately only 500 packs. With typically only one breeding pair per pack, the future of wild dogs falls to the survival of 500 reproductive pairs; a precarious figure in evolutionary, genetic and biological terms. The various pressures that threaten Africa's wildlife are therefore magnified in relation to their effect on wild dogs.

The first population decline began early this century when campaigns were implemented to eradicate the wild dog. Perceived as vermin, nothing more than a livestock predator and a pest, a bounty was paid for each wild dog tail. Since this initial and dramatic population decline, habitat loss, competition for resources with increasing human populations, and an intensifying threat from domestic animal - especially domestic dog - diseases, wild dog populations have continued to decline.

The factor that now bears most directly on the survival of the species is the slow but continuous loss of wildlife habitat throughout Africa. Historically, viable wildlife areas were continuous from north to south but are now restricted to isolated protected areas. Being nomadic, packs require relatively large home ranges (approximately 450km2). Consequently they are particularly susceptible to habitat fragmentation. Only a handful of protected areas currently exist that are large enough to support healthy wild dog populations of more than 300, so the maintenance of these areas forms the single most important criteria for wild dog conservation. Current lobbies in southern Africa to establish corridors between existing protected areas and cross border parks will be of critical importance if successful.

Although the wild dog eradication programmes are long past, the perception lingers that wild dogs are "out there in abundance" and are little more than a livestock pest. Despite the fact that their numbers are a fraction of what they were at the turn of the century, the incidence of conflict between cattle farmers and wild dogs is increasing as the interface tightens between wildlife and livestock.

Wild dogs now often find themselves overlapping with cattle with unfortunate results. In the absence of their preferred prey species - mostly medium sized antelope - they are often guilty of livestock depredation. Although financial compensation programmes for livestock loss have been implemented in some countries, they are usually perceived as lethargic or untrustworthy. Most farmers attempt to solve their problems byshooting wild dogs. Persecution by man is today the second most common cause of mortality in wild dogs, superseded only by lions; their natural predator when in their natural livestock-free habitats.

Disease has now become a growing threat to wild dogs. The Serengeti-Masai Mara system in Kenya and Tanzania used to support healthy numbers but these were hit by a rabies epidemic in 1990 and a distemper epidemic in 1991. The entire population of over 100 wild dogs disappeared. Similarly, in 1996, five packs within the study population of the Botswana Wild Dog Research Project, totalling about 60 individuals, died suddenly due to an unconfirmed but suspected rabies outbreak. Furthermore, in September of 1997, the only pack in the Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa was left with only one wild dog following a similar episode.

In each case, it is suspected that the disease was introduced by domestic dogs. Urgently needed research is ongoing in disease pathology, but the solutions are not immediately obvious. For logistical reasons, vaccinating entire populations of either domestic or wild dogs, or both, is difficult and questionably a solution at all. But waiting for the population to build its own immunity to such diseases as canine distemper may end up costing the lives of many more dogs.

To despair is often the natural human reaction to a problem of magnitude, but there is no time or place for that in this case. Vital research is ongoing and efforts are being made to address the issues. Many of the problems can be potentially managed by lobbying governments to maintain existing protected areas and to legislate for corridors and cross border parks; increasing communication between farmers and conservation organisations; making wildlife economically and culturally viable; and pursuing education programmes. Disease may be controlled by vaccinating domestic dogs and by restricting their mobility.

Tourism can and does play an important role in the dissemination of accurate information, promoting the value of wild dogs locally and internationally and by helping to support research necessary to make educated decisions regarding long term management.

Four primary wild dog research projects have been ongoing for approximately ten years. Genetic "health", behavioural ecology, disease, and human wildlife management are all areas of investigation. Records are being compiled on overall population dynamics, social behaviour, required prey densities, preferred habitats, home range sizes, dispersal patterns, mortality rates and genetic variation of the population.

Having this information is the only way to determine what is required for a healthy population. It has been suggested that even more research be focused on monitoring wild dog groups as they are considered to be an "indicator species" for overall ecosystem health.

Further research efforts are being directed towards developing captive breeding. One concern of habitat fragmentation is that inbreeding may result. Captive populations are thought to be important reservoirs for manipulating gene flow, but also could help provide stock for repopulation. To date, attempts to reintroduce captive bred wild dogs have been largely unsuccessful, but an investigation is being carried out through the Botswana Wild Dog Project on viable ways to reintroduce captive pups through adoption. If reintroduction proves unsuccessful the value of captive groups may be relegated to research and education.

The potential for tourism to contribute to wild dog conservation is significant, important and should be encouraged. The current global trend in wildlife conservation is to transfer responsibility for management to local communities. The aim is to generate direct economic benefit from wildlife and thereby improve attitudes towards it. Historically, wild dogs were considered to have no commercial value and as result there had been little motivation to spare them in situations of livestock conflict.

A growing interest in wild dogs from paying tourists provides an increased incentive to protect them. This, however, is not the entire equation. Results from studies on the bases of attitudes towards wildlife suggest that individual opinions become more positive through direct contact with wildlife and, most importantly, greater knowledge.

Because increased tourism facilitates more wildlife related jobs, the number of individuals that are learning about wildlife conservation and ecology grows. As a consequence, wild dogs may be gaining allies and individuals are contributing to the cause simply by virtue of coming to Africa and expressing an interest in wild dogs.

Tourism can play a role in other important ways. Although its impact is essentially positive, there are costs associated with it. For example, the required infrastructure and the social change it brings can be detrimental to an ecosystem. It can also lead to harassment of wildlife if strict rules are not observed. Tourists should see themselves as consumers of a renewable natural resource with a responsibility to invest in its future. With respect to wild dogs, this can be done easily by learning the local issues and wildlife viewing protocol, seeking out tour companies that support wildlife research through a 'conservation levy', and by educating oneself and helping to educate others on the true nature of wild dogs. For the more ambitious activist, international lobbying pressure and fund raising are urgently needed and are of tremendous value.

There is no space or need to rationalise the conservation imperative for African wild dogs. They, like all other species, contribute to a healthy ecosystem, one that is essential for survival on earth. African wild dogs do, however, need a voice. The more they are understood and the greater the enthusiasm for their existence, the more solid their chance of persisting into the twenty first century.

Lesley P. Boggs has worked with her husband, Dr. J W McNutt, in the Botswana Wild Dog Research Project since 1993. The pair recently co-authored the book "Running Wild, Dispelling the Myths of the African Wild Dogs". Boggs, McNutt and their 16 month old son live in a tented camp located just outside the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta, where she is working on her doctorate.

Safety in Numbers

It is undoubtably the strong social cohesion within the pack that is the wild dog's biggest strength. The whole pack co-operates in hunting and in the raising of pups, although there is one dominant breeding pair who provide a stabilising influence that helps bind the pack together.

Breeding

Usually, it is only the Alpha (dominant) female who has pups. She generally prevents other females from coming into oestrus by imposing subtle stresses. If a subordinate female were to try and raise a litter, the dominant female may kill her puppies.

Wild dogs generally breed in May, when the rains have ended, and the cool winter months lie ahead. The impala are rutting and are distracted, making easier prey for the dogs. In many areas, impala account for over 80% of the wild dog's prey. Kudu, wildebeest, reedbuck, duiker and warthog are also common prey species.

The den is often in an old termite mound. Antbears dig into these mounds searching for food, creating substantial tunnels which provide burrows for everything from warthog, mongoose and porcupine to hyena and wild dogs. With a little extra digging, the female dog clears out a chamber in which to give birth.

After a gestation period of 70 days, the pups are born and remain in the underground burrow for the first three weeks of their life. Only the mother goes into the den, to suckle the pups.

Wild dogs have a greater litter size than any other canid - a litter of twelve is not unusual. At birth the pups weigh about 400 grams and by the end of the second week their eyes have opened. At this age they are dark and fluffy, quite unlike the adults. Their tan markings will develop much later.

At four weeks, the pups become more demanding. After suckling briefly they beg food by nuzzling and licking at their mother's mouth. Chunks of meat are regurgitated almost on demand.

The whole pack has a communal responsibility and each member will devote itself unselfishly to the well-being of the pups. As a rule, at least one adult stays in the vicinity of the den while the rest of the pack goes off to hunt. The others are cautious when returning to the den, carefully checking the whole area before the pups are allowed to come out of the burrow.

A few weeks after the birth of the pups, the pack will often move den. This may be prompted by hygiene considerations or a build up of parasites in the old burrow. The Alpha female carries the pups in her mouth to their new home. As the pups grow stronger, the pack may move den several times.

At seven weeks old the mother still suckles her pups, but the feed is brief, lasting only a couple of minutes. They now eat more meat and grow quickly. The fluffy, rotund, look changes. Tan markings become more evident. The faces and ears become more like those of the adults.

As the pups grow, they become more boistrous, mobile and more of a nuisance. The adults become less tolerant and begin to discipline the unruly pups. Its all part of growing up and learning to be a member of a very close knit social order. Mock fights and tug of war are great fun and a way of testing strength and burning up energy. Adults don't seem to join in these games with the pups.

When the pups are about nine weeks old the adults encourage them to find their legs in preparation for the nomadic life that lies ahead. From now on they will follow the pack. When the adults hunt, the pups will lie together and wait till the adults return and lead them to the kill. The adults will then stand aside while the youngsters feed. There is no aggression or conflict during feeding, unlike the angry squabbles that develop at lion and hyena kills. There is, however, a great deal of excitement and twittering.

Danger

Vultures and scavenging eagles can be a threat to the pups when they are very small but the real danger comes from other predators. As their closest rivals, the hyena and lion will sometimes kill wild dog pups if they can. A gruff bark is an alarm signal that alerts the whole pack, sending the pups scurrying for cover within the den. Pup-mortality is high right up to the time that they are able to hunt, at about one year old.

Hunting

In thick bush, the wild dog's conspicuous black, white and tan markings may help break up their outline, but it is certainly not an effective camouflage. Wild dogs rarely try to conceal their approach and do not rely on surprise to catch their prey.

They generally hunt in daylight when their good sight is beneficial. Large rounded ears can pick up the long distance call of a lost pack member over two kilometres away. They also have a keen sense of smell which enables them to track each other when split up during the hunt.

The lean, long legged physique of the wild dog is built for speed and endurance. While hunting, they can run at speeds of up to 65 kilometres per hour and can maintain 48 kph for almost five kilometres in order to exhaust their prey. When game is scarce, they will easily travel up to 40 kilometres in a day, trotting along at a steady 10 kph.

The wild dog's heavy skull has well developed temporalis muscles giving it a tremendously powerful bite. The teeth are adapted to holding and slicing rather than grinding.

The dogs are true nomads and often have a home range of over 450 km2, but while the pups are small and vulnerable they will base themselves near the den. An injured pack member is cared for by the pack and a dog that has remained behind at the den to guard the pups or lost the trail of the hunt is able to beg food from the other pack members. Meat is regurgitated in the same way that it will be regurgitated for the pups. This willingness to share food and divide the spoils of the kill is what makes the pack successful.

Ralph Stutchbury is a film maker based in Harare. He has produced an as yet unreleased film on wild dogs, shot at the Save Valley Conservancy in Zimbabwe.

Published in Travel Africa Edition Two: Winter 1997/8. Text is subject to Worldwide Copyright (c)