WILD DOG FOSTERING @ HESC
HELP ENSURE THEIR TOMORROW
The African Wild Dog is also commonly referred to as the Wild Dog, Cape Hunting Dog and Painted Dog.
The National Red Data book (2012) listing of “Endangered” for the African Wild Dog has remained the same since
1986. The global listing for these animals is “Endangered” under criterion C2a(i) and may need to be recognised as
it is regarded as one of the most endangered predators in the world. In South Africa, the African wild dog is
protected by provincial legislation through a permit system.
High variances of numbers are given for different known populations of this species in the wild. This, as well as their
migratory habits, cause difficulty in ascertaining the existing wild population numbers. In South Africa, however, it
is estimated that there are approximately 250 animals, including about 50 breeding pairs, in the wild. The total
population of wild dogs is estimated at 6 600 individuals worldwide, of which only 1 400 are mature individuals.
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE FOR BREEDING AFRICAN WILD DOGS
African wild dogs require large protected areas with a suitably large prey base to support them. At this stage wild
dog populations are limited to the Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, Marakele, Pilansberg and Venetia
Game Reserves. Small populations of between five and seven wild dogs have also been introduced in Shambala,
Karongwe and Shamwari private game reserves. Other than the Kruger National Park, with an estimated 25
breeding pairs of dogs, the smaller reserves are limited to only one or two breeding pairs per reserve.
So far limited successes have been achieved with the incorporation of captive bred wild dogs into wild packs.
Additional research should be conducted on methods to incorporate captive bred dogs into existing wild packs of
dogs. Captive bred wild dogs destined for possible reintroduction into the wild should be reared in larger camps
where exposure to humans is limited as much as possible.
These animals will have to undergo gradual ‘rewilding’ and controlled contact with wild animals before attempts
could be successful. The introduction of captive bred dogs into coalitions of wild dogs will imply disruption of the
social structure of the animals. This will require active management and monitoring of the pack until the
dominance of the alpha male and female has been reaffirmed.
As free roaming wild dogs are limited in numbers, research could be conducted on dogs that are in captivity.
Although the effectiveness of different drugs on dogs has been tested on animals in captivity in the past, there are
still applications that could be tested and refined.
The possibility and success of artificial insemination on female wild dogs in captivity could assist in managing the
genetic diversity of small packs of dogs in the smaller reserves.
Over the period from 1991 to 2008, 154 pups were born at the Hoedspruit Endangered Spceies Centre.
WILD DOG FOSTERING
It costs billions to establish and rebuild animal populations once they are near extinction. South Africa has been
one of the biggest contributors to wild dog conservation in the past.
Why not foster a wild dog, and become a direct contributor? We have a number of options available to suit
all budgets.
Fostering Options:
For our partners who have a passion for the conservation of wild dog at HESC we offer the following:
Pack dog:
Alpha dog (foster either alpha male or female):
Annual contribution of ZAR1 500
Annual contribution of ZAR4 500, or monthly ZAR375
Each membership will be supported by:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
A certificate acknowledging fostering of the specific wild dog
An image of the specific wild dog
Quarterly updates with news and images
Naming of the wild dog
Subscription to our Cheetah Chat newsletter
CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS
We are always amazed and very proud at the number of businesses in South Africa who have made ‘doing good’ a
part of their corporate philosophy. Over the years we have enjoyed the development of many valuable
partnerships with companies who have taken a direct interest in the work that we do, and the difference that they
can make.
We have put together a number of Corporate Packages, summarised below:
Platinum Membership:
Gold Membership:
Silver Membership:
Annual contribution of ZAR7 500
Annual contribution of ZAR4 500, or monthly ZAR375
Annual fee of ZAR1 500
THE BENEFITS OF CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP:
1.
2.
3.
Donations and contributions to the Wildlife Conservation Trust are tax deductible.
Support of wildlife conservation initiatives have a positive spin off for a brand in respect of how they are
perceived in the market place.
Branding opportunities at HESC (on site, electronic communications, website and social media
platforms) promotes brand awareness beyond a company’s direct marketing initiatives.
Each membership will be supported by:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
A certificate acknowledging sponsorship (good for internal and external marketing)
An image of the specific wild dog (good for internal and external marketing)
Quarterly updates with news and images
Naming of the wild dog
Subscription to our Cheetah Chat newsletter
Why adopt the Wild dog?
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They are highly endangered
They are most the successful predator in Africa
They have magnificent coat patterns
They have strong social bonds among pack members
They are still truly wild and can’t be tamed
They probably have the most quirky and down to earth personalities (probably why they are classified as dogs?)
And who could resist those Mickey Mouse ears?
We currently have 7 wild dogs up for adoption, including our alpha male and female and perhaps in the future
some wild dog puppies!
MORE ABOUT WILD DOGS
One of the main reasons for the wild dog becoming an endangered species is the behaviour and attitude of people.
For a long time there has been a very negative view on wild dogs because of the method they use to kill their pray,
often feeding before prey has died. Because of this people have seen no problem with killing packs of wild dogs
throughout Africa. But this view on these amazing animals is changing fast.
The African wild dog is an endangered species, with only four remaining populations in Africa, one of which is
Kruger. Their survival is dependent on the pack. A wild dog by itself is not that much of a threat to other animals,
but a pack is a different story. Wild dogs tend to shy away from areas dominated by lion and hyena. Wild dogs are
masters of the collective approach to hunting. A hunt begins at sunrise or sunset when the dogs perform an
elaborate greeting ceremony, sniffing and licking each other, wagging their tails and twittering aloud.
They make a range of chattering sounds and have a distinctive long-distance greeting call - a sharp ‘Hoo’ - that can
be heard up to four kilometres away. However during the hunt itself, however, they are silent. Occasionally, they
hunt at full moon. Wild dogs have often been regarded with horror by humans because of their seemingly cruel
hunting techniques - death does not come quickly to the victim, which will first be run to exhaustion and then die
from a loss of blood while being devoured.
African wild dogs hunt in formidable, cooperative packs of 6 to 20 (or more) animals. Larger packs were more
common before the dogs became endangered. Packs hunt antelopes and will also tackle much larger prey, such as
wildebeest, particularly if their quarry is ill or injured. The dogs supplement their diet with rodents and birds. As
human settlements expand, the dogs have sometimes developed a taste for livestock, though significant damage
is rare. Unfortunately, they are often hunted and killed by farmers who fear for their domestic animals. They are also
quite susceptible to diseases spread by domestic animals.
The African wild dog is also known as the African hunting dog, Cape hunting dog, spotted dog, painted dog,
painted wolf, painted hunting dog, or ornate wolf. The species’ scientific name, ‘Lycaon pictus’, is derived from the
Greek for wolf and the Latin for painted. This refers to the dogs’ mottled coat of black, brown, white, russet and
yellow patterns, each of which is unique to the individual.
Habitat:
African wild dogs reside in woodland, savannah, shrub land and grassland. They require extensive home ranges to
support them (500 to 1000 or more square miles). Habitat fragmentation is contributing to their continuing decline.
Diet:
The African wild dog hunts at least once a day, in packs, pursuing its prey in a prolonged, open chase. They can run
at speeds of around 35 mph for 3 miles or more and are highly successful - nearly 80% of all dog hunts end in a kill.
They prey mainly on ungulates such as impala, kudu, Thomson's gazelle, springbok and wildebeest.
Adaptations:
The African wild dog has large, rounded ears, which help to keep track of pack members by picking up long
distance vocal calls, and probably also help with heat loss. It has a short broad muzzle and powerful jaw muscles
that allow it to grab and hang on to its prey. Its multicoloured coat helps it to blend in with its habitat.
Behaviour:
If they are present, the pups are allowed to feed first at a kill. Members of the pack will regurgitate food to feed
those that stayed at the den, such as those left watching pups and any old, sick or injured dogs that cannot keep
up. A pack only has a home base whilst rearing the young. For the rest of the year, they roam, usually not staying in
the same place for more than a day.
Society:
African wild dogs 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. There are separate dominance hierarchies for each gender.
Females disperse from their birth pack as a group when mature, whilst males don’t usually leave the pack in which
they were born. They form strong social bonds and interact regularly, communicating by touch, action and
vocalisation.
Reproduction:
Wild dogs reach sexual maturity at the age of 12 to 18 months, but within a pack it is usually only the highest
ranking male and female which breed. They have the largest litter size of any canid, comprising up to 20 pups,
though 10 is the average number. The entire pack helps to feed the pups which become proficient hunters at 12 to
14 months of age.
If you are interested in adopting any of our animals at Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre and
require more information, please ask at the office or reception.
Contact us on 015 793 1633 or send an email to [email protected]