Lately though, I've really been feeling down due to the amount of tweets, emails, Facebook updates or news coverage there is on animals being slaughtered for money and greed. Don't get me wrong I am glad I can so easily access information so I can be a part of protesting against such cruelty, but sometimes it really gets to me and I have to take a step back and remember that life isn't always so malicious and cold. Following on from this, I thought about writing a blog on one of my favourite animals - African wild dogs.
Lycaon pictus - the African wild dog is a medium-sized pack hunting mammal weighing between 20kg - 30kg. They have large round ears with excellent hearing and eyesight and a tricoloured coat that is uniquely patterned to each individual, although recognisably similar in close relatives.
They can be found in the Savanna and lightly wooded parkland in sub-Saharan Africa. Once roamed across the African continent in every habitat except true rainforest, the wild dog has been exterminated from 32 countries and fewer than 5000 remain. These animals are carnivores specialising in pack hunting. This co-operative behaviour allows large prey to be brought down and killed. The wild dog will prey on Thomson's gazelle, impala, reedbuck, kob, lechwe, springbok, warthogs and hare, although zebra and wildebeest may be taken down if the pack work together. In February when the births peak in wildebeest, the wild dogs' diet may be exclusively wildebeest calves. The pack will eat quickly after a kill to avoid conflict with hyenas and other large predators.
The pack is usually made up of 20 dogs or more with typically one breeding pair and non-breeding adults that assist in provisioning lactating mother and pups. The pups are usually dependent for 12-14 months and unlike many other mammal groups the related males remain in the natal pack while the females emigrate, usually between 2 and 3 years of age. Separate rank hierarchies exist among the pack, headed by the breeding pair, but there is very little aggression among members. Instead, submissive behaviour has been emphasised in wild dog social relations. Such behaviour can be seen through begging, which is used to persuade other members of the pack to give up their share of the kill. Through this behaviour young wild dogs succeed in displacing adults from kills until they are fully a year old, whereupon they lose their privileged status and are absorbed into the rank hierarchy. However, decrepit or disabled individuals unable to keep up with the pack can use this technique to recover food, either first or second hand.
I remember when I was doing my dissertation on common marmosets and Goeldi's monkey I had the opportunity to observe two newborn marmosets grow up. When they were old enough to move around by themselves and not be carried on their parents' backs they would beg constantly for food. I remember laughing all the time as mum and dad would give up their food almost immediately, but their big sisters and brothers were so reluctant, especially when the two got older. You could almost see the other siblings' looks of injustice when they would hand over their grape or mealworm much to the high-pitched delight of the youngest marmosets. I got to know them quite well and I could recognise one little smart cookie who would grab his food and run outside, hoping to be out of sight from his youngest siblings and so keep the treat for himself the majority of the time. Cute. Who can resist their adorable little baby faces?
African wild dogs are really incredible animals, so intelligent and sociable, but unfortunately, like many other animals, they need our help. Why not adopt one through WWF here? Or read about how to get involved with conservation efforts by Wildlife Conservation Network here?
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Since we all love baby animals - African wild dog PUPPIES! Haha. Enjoy. :)
Heatherbelle
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