Whether you call them African wild dogs or Painted Wolves, take some time today to learn more about these endangered creatures.
Field updates
Here’s the latest field update from Dr. Kasim Rafiq, who is currently in Botswana:
When young African wild dogs reach between 18 and 36 months of age, they often form groups with siblings of the same sex and age and leave their home in search of other dogs to form a new pack with. In the last few weeks, researchers from the Center for Ecosystem Sentinels, in collaboration with long-term partners Wild Entrust, deployed two tracking collars in a new wild dog pack at our study site in northern Botswana. One collar will be used to monitor the movements and behaviors of the new pack, and the second was deployed on siblings who then went on to leave the pack in search of new dogs. These collars are providing long-term data that is helping us to understand how interactions between large predators and people are changing within the Okavango Delta under climate change, and how we can best protect one of Africa’s most endangered large carnivores.
Be sure to read our latest field updates on our website to learn more about our AWD research.
Student Videos
🐾 Central Africa is home to many of the world’s iconic species, including the endangered African wild dog (Lycaon pictus, abbr. AWD). Learn more about the cooperative life of African wild dogs and threats to their existence.
Student: Shree Mehta
Quarter: Spring 2018
🐾 Habitat destruction, disease, and human persecution – the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) has faced many struggles throughout its history. Spend an evening with an African wild dog pack and see what they find for dinner.
Student: Lane Shish
Quarter: Spring 2015
Post photo credit: Marie-Pier Poulin
