Animal Information

Animal Information
Background
Name
African Painted dogs (African wild dog) Lycaon pictus
Status
Endangered C2a(i)
African Wild Dogs are rarely seen, even where they are relatively
common, and it appears that populations have always existed at
very low densities. Population densities in well-studied areas
estimate the size of remaining populations. These estimates
suggest that between 3,000–5,500 free-ranging wild dogs remain in
Africa.
Country of Origin
Native:
Botswana; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Chad; Ethiopia;
Kenya; Malawi; Mozambique; Namibia; Senegal; South Africa;
Sudan; Tanzania, United Republic of; Zambia; Zimbabwe
Possibly extinct:
Angola; Benin; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Congo, The Democratic
Republic of the; Côte d'Ivoire; Eritrea; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana;
Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Mali; Niger; Nigeria; Sierra Leone; Togo;
Uganda
Regionally extinct:
Rwanda
Presence uncertain:
Algeria; Swaziland
Range
Habitat
Temperature/
Humidity Range
African Wild Dogs occupying a range of habitats including shortgrass plains, semi-desert, bushy savannas and upland forest. While
early studies in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, led to a
belief that wild dogs were primarily an open plains species, more
recent data indicate that they reach their highest densities in thicker
bush (e.g., Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania; Mana Pools National
Park, Zimbabwe; and northern Botswana). Several relict populations
occupy dense upland forest (e.g., Harenna Forest, Ethiopia: Ngare
Ndare Forest, Kenya). African Wild Dogs have been recorded in
desert, although they appear unable to establish themselves in the
southern Kalahari, and montane habitats, although not in lowland
forest.
It appears that their current distribution is limited primarily by human
activities and the availability of prey, rather than by the loss of a
specific habitat type.

18-30°C
Size & Weight Range

Head-body length: 85 – 141 cm
18 - 34 kg
Males are slightly larger than females.
Age

11 years (wild)
17 years (captivity)
Other species associations

None
Biological needs
Group Size
Social Structure

Packs vary in size from 2 to 27 individuals with most packs
between 5 to 15 adults and yearlings

The African wild dog is one of the world's most social and
distinctive canids. African wild dogs are highly sociable and
exhibit a very unusual social system; within their packs, dogs
of the same sex are closely related to each other but not to
individuals of the opposite sex, and only the dominant male
and female will breed.
New packs are formed when subgroups of the same sex
(usually siblings) disperse and join up with a subgroup of the
opposite sex, leading to the unusual configuration of the pack.

Activity times
Feeding strategies

Outside of the breeding season, wild dogs are nomadic and
wander over large distances in search of prey; home ranges
can be as large as 5,000 square kilometres, but are often
restricted to areas of less than 200 square kilometres.

These dogs are carnivorous and hunt their prey by
cooperating closely in a group. This strategy enables them to
hunt prey comprising antelope and ungulates much larger
than themselves, to include kudu bulls and wildebeest
weighing up to 250 kilograms, as well as ensuring their
hunting success is much higher than that of other large
carnivorous species.
Whereas they weigh 20–30 kg, their prey average around 50
kg, and may be as large as 200 kg. In most areas their
principal prey are Impala, Greater Kudu, Thomson's Gazelle
and Common Wildebeest. They will give chase of larger
species, such as Common Eland (and African Buffalo, but
rarely kill such prey. Small antelope, such as dik-dik, Steenbok
and duiker are important in some areas, and warthogs are
also taken in some populations. Wild dogs also take very
small prey such as hares, lizards and even eggs, but these
make a very small contribution to their diet.

Behavioural needs

Only the dominant female will give birth to pups, and births
may take place throughout the year, although they are more
common between March and June.
Litter size is the largest of any canid, averaging ten pups;
these are born within dens where they remain for around three
months. Initially the mother will stay with her pups and when
members of the pack return from hunting they regurgitate food
for her.
As the pups get older all pack members help with feeding and
‘baby sitting' of the young dogs.
Juveniles are fully independent at 16 to 24 months but remain
with their pack, females are more likely to disperse, usually
leaving in a sub-group with their sisters once they reach two
years old.
Female sexual maturity 639 days
Gestation 72 days
Weaning 91 days
1 litter per year
Communication

Vocal and olfactory very important
Foraging
The victim is pulled to the ground and the group descends to feed;
pups in the pack are allowed to eat first.
Locomotion
Terrestrial – spend long travelling time in search of food
Behaviour time budgets
Packs set out to hunt in the cool of dawn and dusk, avoiding other
predators such as lions.
Breeding

Additional Information:
Each dog has a unique colouration pattern, and this is used by
researchers to identify individuals. The body is thin and muscular,
the tail bushy with a white tip and the legs are long.
Unlike the other canid species there are only four, rather than five,
toes on the front feet. These dogs have large rounded ears, which
probably help with heat loss as well as keeping track of pack
members by picking up long distance vocal signals.
Enclosure Requirements
Inside enclosure
Brief
There is a requirement for an off show facility that would be used to bring in the dogs to enable the
essential daily health checks and allow for access to the outside enclosure.
It would consist of 4 caged areas with a keeper corridor. These are potentially dangerous animals so
keeper safety must be considered for this design.
The off show facility should be linked to 1 or 2 on show inside areas which could be themed as
aardvark burrows.
Separate off show cubbing dens are also required within the paddock.
Minimum Size (internal dim)

On show 4m x 4.5m each
Height

2.5m (no specific height requirement)

4 off show
1 or 2 on show
2 cubbing dens
Containment

Block walls or tin lined (good at chewing!)
Mesh 50mm x 25mm at front (keeper corridor)
Temperature/humidity range

Min 16°C
Light levels/spectrum

Not important
Ventilation

Axia on thermostat
Drinking water

Self fillers
Furnishings

On show to be themed as aardvark burrow
Floor type

Concrete
Drainage

Required for occasional wash down
Plantin

Not required
Access requirements

Keeper / wheel barrow to inside holding
Number of inside
enclosures
Outside
Brief
2 large open areas that can be separated. Overall landscape to be scrub with marsh land.
Viewing to be a mixture of behind glass and open.
Whole area to be themed to follow the Tsavo African theme.
Minimum Size

1000m²
Height

Not applicable
Number of outside

2 enclosures

2.4m (8’) without overhang
2.1m (7’)with 600mm overhang
3m where access to Lechwe / roan (and dividing fence)
Solid fence or chain link with solid lower 1.5m
Dividing fence within ha-ha to ensure views into
neighbouring enclosure
Shelters

See indoor
Drinking water

Self fillers
Floor type
Drainage

Soil / red sand / grass
Marsh area to be created with some water (similar to
spectacled bears
Planting

Trees and shrubs / scrub forest
Furnishings

Rocks / logs to give height for viewing
Access requirements

Vehicle access required to both paddocks
Dens/Breeding facilities

Off show area 8m x 4.5m (4 x 2m wide x 3.5m)
1.5m wide keeper corridor
Cubbing dens 2.5m x 1.8m
Areas for Retreat/Flight

enclosures
Containment
ANIMAL REQUIREMENTS
Off Show enclosure
Reaction
Capture Facilities
Mixed exhibits

Trap area in off show
Short term and temporary access to one enclosure by
lechwe and roan to keep down vegetation and for
enrichment for the dogs (smells)
EE Facilities/feeding

methods etc.
Water Features

Additional Information

Marsh area, pool and stream
e.g. husbandry guidelines
KEEPER REQUIREMENTS
Staff Numbers

No change
Kitchen Facilities

n/a
Washroom faculty

n/a
Changing facility

n/a
Keeper access

vehicle
Enclosure Viewing/CCTV

for cubbing dens
Food storage

Small bins
Off Show Storage Facilities

brushes, shovel
(Wheelbarrow/vehicle)
VETERINARY REQUIREMENTS
Separation / quarantine

Separation only to be done as a last resort (difficulties in
re introduction once separated)

Two outdoor enclosures and multiple internal dens will
allow for management for a separated animal in the
short term

No facility for a separate quarantine area – all enclosure
would need to go into quarantine
Capture / handling

2 areas identified for capture – crate area (side of
house) and tunnel from one exit of house to enclosure
Crating

Crating area on side of house
Sample collection

Live in social group so individual samples difficult
Admin of treatment

Tunnel area
Physical examination

Tunnel area
Weighing

Tunnel area
Food storage area

Not required (stored elsewhere)
Waste storage facility

Daily waste storage only
Access

Wheel barrow only to house
Pest Control

Bins to be cleared daily – no specific requirement
ASD REQUIREMENTS
RESEARCH
Research viewing area

Public areas only
CCTV

IR camera coverage in each of the indoor dens;
recordable
Student Access

Public areas only
BOTANICAL REQUIREMENTS
INSIDE ANIMAL ENCLOSURES & VISITORS AREA
All of those for outdoor
enclosures +
Temperature range – type of
N/A
heating
Humidity range – humidity
N/A
systems?
Light levels
N/A
Size and height of enclosure
N/A
Dust and air borne pollutants – is
N/A
this likely to be a problem?
Pest control
N/A
OUTSIDE ANIMAL ENCLOSURES & VISITORS AREA
Factors to consider prior to

planting:
Location in grounds

Przewalski Horse paddocks

Gets early morning sun and then throughout the day
until shaded in the late afternoon
Aspect (sun rise and fall)
Existing soil type – clay, loam,

Clay

Red sand to be put on top of existing top soil, in selected
sandy (pH)
Topsoil specification – type,
areas, to a depth of 70mm
depth etc

paddock to create natural falls to marsh areas
Drainage
Underground services
Some existing drainage already present. Contour

None that I am aware of
Any previous history of land use

N/A

Tractor gates into both paddocks will be available during
(cultivated, potential pest &
diseases etc)
Machinery access – during &
build. Access after completion will be through keeping
after project completion
Plants/Materials access – during
staff

See above
& after project completion
Plant Selection Criteria:

Geography – animal’s natural

Central and Southern Africa

Shrub and grassland

Two separate paddocks (approx 4,000 sq. m)

Budget 15K. Some large Acacia type trees and spiky
range
Habitat – natural environment of
the animal
Size of enclosure and overall
exhibit area
Numbers and size of plants
shrubs and grasses
required – instant impact?
Shade and cover (for animals and
visitors)

Existing trees on paddocks to be retained which will
provide shade for the animals.

Visitors N/A
Browse

N/A
Enrichment

To be decided if logs are required
Toxicity – are there plants that

None aware of

The animals are carnivores but may chew on some of
are known to be toxic to these
animals
The potentially destructive nature
of the animals – size of group,
the plants. Mesh may be required around some of the
individual animal
tree trunks to protect them from rubbing, etc.
Viewing of animals

Theming and Furnishings:

Real elements – rocks, logs etc

Large logs – to be decided

Artificial rocks required around den areas. 30 – 40 in
Artificial elements – trees, termite
mounds etc
Already decided
number. Various sizes and shapes, 1.0 – 2.0 cu m. May
be easier to construct on site and have them interlocking
Substrates – to create an

Red sand, as in Tsavo Aviary

Log edge to visitor paths

Taps will be provided in the den areas for the dogs.
aesthetic effect or to improve
welfare
Edge specification
*Watering points
*Trees, hedgerows, shrubs to be
These can be used to water plants if necessary

Existing trees to be retained and protected as necessary

None that we are aware of
retained
*Native species on site. Any
mitigation required
* Additional factors to be considered
VETERINARY REQUIREMENTS
Separation / quarantine