![]() 3,4,5 The population of African wild dogs was nearly 600,000 two decades ago, but now their numbers have dwindled to fewer than 5,000 individuals (Figure 2). The African wild dog has been listed as an endangered species since 1990, and the species may soon be listed as critically endangered. As some of the most social and vocal animals roaming the earth today, the African wild dog is an essential species to maintaining biodiversity in the African plains, but sadly their numbers are decreasing daily. 1,2 African wild dogs (Figure 1) are one of the top three most efficient hunting animals in Africa and are found on most of the continent aside from the drier deserts in the north, and the denser forests of the southern tip. The African wild dog, Lycaon pictus, is one of Africa’s premier hunters. This makes them the third most productive hunter in the wild. A pack of African wild dogs hunting in Kruger National Park, South Africa.Īfrican wild dogs are efficient hunters, with a hunt success rate of almost 80%. With greatly reduced numbers from the encroachment on farmer and rancher lands, there is a lack of genetic variation and a new strand of canine distemper threatens the species with further decline. ![]() Once nearly 500,000 wild dogs roamed Africa, however now there is only an estimated 3,000 to 5,000. Loparo The African wild dog has become one of the most critically endangered species in Africa. 5.1 Africa’s Vanishing Predator The African Wild Dog Allyson E.
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