AFRICAN WILD DOG
Lycaon pictus
ENDANGERED
STATUS & CONSERVATION
While once widespread across entire Sub-Saharan Africa, the species has sharply declined in response to infectious diseases (rabies and distemper), human persecution, and habitat loss. With less than 7,000 individuals remaining in the wild, the African wild dog is second most endangered large carnivore in Africa (after the Ethiopian wolf). Many of the remaining subpopulations persist in nearly isolated protected areas with marginal connectivity to larger more stable subpopulations. Connectivity between these areas is therefore of vital importance to enable dispersal of young wild dogs to secure genetic exchange. Connectivity is increasingly eroded when dispersers venture outside wildlife protected areas into human-dominated landscapes. Northern Botswana represents one of the few remaining strongholds for African wild dogs and may serve as a source population for the maintenance or re-colonization of neighbouring subpopulations.
There are an estimated 6500 individuals remaining in the wild.
Dispersal of young individuals from one area to another is therefore of vital importance in securing genetic exchange. However, dispersers often venture outside protected areas into human-dominated landscapes, where they are exposed to anthropogenic risks. Northern Botswana represents one of the few remaining strongholds for African wild dogs and may serve as an important source population for re-colonization of connected wildlife areas in neighbouring countries.
STATUS & CONSERVATION
Once widespread across Sub-Saharan Africa, the species has sharply declined in response to human persecution and habitat loss resulting in isolation of subpopulations increasingly vulnerable to infectious diseases such as rabies and distemper. With less than 7,000 individuals remaining in the wild, the African wild dog is one of the most endangered large carnivores in Africa.
The Wild Entrust research program
The Botswana Predator Conservation Program was initiated 35 years ago in 1989, when John “Tico” McNutt began field research in Botswana for his PhD. The project has continued ever since and represents the longest running conservation project on African wild dogs. The collected data yields insights into population viability and connectivity under amplified climate change and anthropogenic pressures.
The Wild Entrust research program
The Botswana Predator Conservation Program was initiated 35 years ago in 1989, when John “Tico” McNutt began field research in Botswana for his PhD. The project has continued ever since and represents the longest running conservation project on African wild dogs. The collected data yields insights into population viability and connectivity under amplified climate change and anthropogenic pressures.