The successful reintroduction of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) to Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

Large carnivores have experienced widespread extirpation and species are now threatened globally. The ecological impact of the loss of large carnivores has been prominent in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, after most were extirpated during the 1977–92 civil war. To remedy this, reintroductions are now being implemented in Gorongosa, initiating with endangered African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus), hereafter ‘wild dogs’. We describe the first transboundary translocation and reintroduction of founding packs of wild dogs to Gorongosa over a 28-month study period and evaluate the success of the reintroduction based on five key indicator categories. We also assess how wild dog space use and diet influenced their success. We found that pre-release, artificial pack formation in holding enclosures aided group cohesion and alpha pair establishment. Post-release, we also observed natural pack formations as a result of multiple dispersal events. Founder and naturally formed packs produced pups in two of the three breeding seasons and packs successfully recruited pups. Survival rate for all wild dogs was 73% and all mortality events were from natural causes. Consequently, the population grew significantly over the study period. All indicators of success were fully achieved and this study documents the first successful reintroduction of wild dogs into a large, unfenced landscape in Mozambique and only the second on the continent. Potential mechanisms underlying these early successes were the avoidance of habitats intensively used by lions, dietary partitioning with lion, avoidance of human settlements, and Gorongosa’s management strategy. We predict further population expansion in Gorongosa given that 68% of the park is still unused by wild dogs. This expansion could be stimulated by continued reintroductions over the short- to medium-term. Recovery of wild dogs in Gorongosa could aid in the re-establishment of a larger, connected population across the greater Gorongosa-Marromeu landscape.

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A Historical Perspective of the Maasai - African Wild Dog Conflict in the Serengeti Ecosystem

Environment and Natural Resources Research ◽

10.5539/enrr.v6n2p42 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 42 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Richard D Lyamuya ◽

Emmanuel H Masenga ◽

Robert D Fyumagwa ◽

Machoke N Mwita ◽

Craig R Jackson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Historical Perspective ◽

Lycaon Pictus ◽

Serengeti Ecosystem ◽

African Wild Dog ◽

Before And After ◽

African Wild Dogs ◽

Wild Dog ◽

Wild Dogs ◽

Structured Questionnaire

<p class="1Body">This study discusses the conflict between Maasai pastoralists and African wild dogs (<em>Lycaon pictus) </em>over livestock before and after the Maasai were evicted from the Serengeti National Park (SNP) in 1959. We surveyed 181 randomly selected households from six villages in the eastern Serengeti ecosystem. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to acquire the required information from the respondents. We found that males had a greater awareness of local wild dog presence and livestock-derived conflict than females, and reported more frequently to have chased and killed wild dogs that attacked their livestock. Moreover, the conflict existed before 1959, decreased during the 1990s, but increased from 2000 onwards. This increase is attributed to the growth in human, livestock and wild dog populations in the area. This study recommends that to foster their coexistence, the continued escalation in livestock numbers needs to cease while simultaneously protecting the region’s wild prey populations.</p>

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Hidden Markov Models reveal a clear human footprint on the movements of highly mobile African wild dogs

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-74329-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Scott Creel ◽

Johnathan Merkle ◽

Thandiwe Mweetwa ◽

Matthew S. Becker ◽

Henry Mwape ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hidden Markov Models ◽

National Park ◽

Markov Models ◽

Hidden Markov ◽

Lycaon Pictus ◽

Isolated Populations ◽

Human Footprint ◽

African Wild Dogs ◽

Wild Dog ◽

Wild Dogs

Abstract Large carnivores have experienced considerable range contraction, increasing the importance of movement across human-altered landscapes between small, isolated populations. African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are exceptionally wide-ranging, and recolonization is an important element of their persistence at broad scales. The competition-movement-connection hypothesis suggests that adaptations to move through areas that are unfavorable due to dominant competitors might promote the ability of subordinate competitors (like wild dogs) to move through areas that are unfavorable due to humans. Here, we used hidden Markov models to test how wild dog movements were affected by the Human Footprint Index in areas inside and outside of South Luangwa National Park. Movements were faster and more directed when outside the National Park, but slowed where the human footprint was stronger. Our results can be directly and quantitatively applied to connectivity planning, and we use them to identify ways to better understand differences between species in recent loss of connectivity.

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Dangerous game: preferential predation on baboons by African wild dogs in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

Behaviour ◽

10.1163/1568539x-00003529 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 156 (1) ◽

pp. 37-58

Author(s):

Esther van der Meer ◽

Nick Lyon ◽

Thomas Mutonhori ◽

Roseline Mandisodza-Chikerema ◽

Peter Blinston

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Prey Selection ◽

Substantial Part ◽

Lycaon Pictus ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

African Wild Dog ◽

African Wild Dogs ◽

Serious Injury ◽

Wild Dog ◽

Wild Dogs

Abstract When selecting prey, carnivores optimise energy gained when consuming prey against energy spent when pursuing and subduing prey. Additionally, predators seem to preferentially predate on prey which presents a low risk of injury. When defending itself against predators, baboons (Papio spp.) can inflict serious injury and cause mortality. Although part of Africa’s large carnivores’ diet, predation on baboons is usually avoided. We investigated prey selection patterns of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. Based on direct and indirect observations and analyses of faecal samples, we show that baboons form a substantial part of the African wild dog diet and were more frequently predated on than would be expected based on availability. Predation on baboons did not vary over baboon sex or age classes but was affected by seasonality. This is the first study to describe a preference for predation on this unusual prey species.

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Assessing the risks of intervention: immobilization, radio-collaring and vaccination of African wild dogs

Oryx ◽

10.1046/j.1365-3008.2001.00186.x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 234-244 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Rosie Woodroffe

Keyword(s):

Rabies Virus ◽

Lycaon Pictus ◽

Full Data ◽

Serengeti Ecosystem ◽

African Wild Dogs ◽

Wild Dog ◽

Wild Dogs ◽

Rabies Vaccination ◽

Future Management

AbstractControversy has surrounded the role of intervention in studies of African wild dogs Lycaon pictus. Following the death or disappearance of all wild dogs under study in the Serengeti ecosystem, it was suggested that immobilization, radio-collaring or administration of rabies vaccines might have caused high mortality by compromising wild dogs′ immune response to rabies virus. Planning future management and research on wild dogs and other species demands an assessment of the risks associated with such intervention. This paper critically reviews the available evidence and concludes that it is extremely unlikely that intervention contributed to the extinction of wild dogs in the Serengeti ecosystem. A more likely scenario is that vaccination failed to protect wild dogs exposed to rabies virus. Radio-collaring is an important component of wild dog research; hence, the benefits of immobilization appear to outweigh the risks, as long as (i) research is orientated towards wild dog conservation, (ii) radiocollaring is followed up by efficient monitoring, (iii) the number of animals immobilized is kept to the minimum necessary to maintain scientific rigour, and (iv) full data on disease and genetics are collected from all immobilized animals. By contrast, rabies vaccination currently seems to confer few benefits, at least when a single dose of vaccine is given. Further research, on captive animals, is in progress to establish more effective protocols, and to assess the role that vaccination might play in future management of wild dog populations.

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Updated ranges of the Vulnerable cheetah and Endangered African wild dog in Angola

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605319000966 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 (6) ◽

pp. 851-853

Author(s):

Pedro Monterroso ◽

Filipe Rocha ◽

Stefan van Wyk ◽

Telmo António ◽

Milcíades Chicomo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lycaon Pictus ◽

Species Status ◽

Acinonyx Jubatus ◽

Civil Unrest ◽

Distribution Ranges ◽

African Wild Dog ◽

African Wild Dogs ◽

The Status ◽

Wild Dog ◽

Wild Dogs

AbstractThe civil unrest that ravaged Angola for nearly 30 years took a heavy toll on the country's wildlife, and led to a lengthy absence of reliable information for many threatened species, including the cheetah Acinonyx jubatus and African wild dog Lycaon pictus. Using camera trapping we assessed the status of these two species in two areas of southern Angola, and complemented our findings by reviewing recent survey reports and observations to provide an update on the species' status. We found unequivocal evidence that African wild dogs are resident and reproducing in Bicuar National Park, where cheetahs appear to be absent. Conversely, cheetahs may be resident in western Cuando Cubango province, where African wild dogs may only be transient. Based on these and other recent records in Angola, we recommend a revision of these species' distribution ranges and note the need for monitoring of these remnant populations and for appropriate attention to any threats.

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Anti-predator behaviour of kudu and impala in response to mimicked African wild dog presence: do age and sex matter?

Behaviour ◽

10.1163/1568539x-00003275 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 152 (9) ◽

pp. 1209-1228 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Esther van der Meer ◽

Hervé Fritz ◽

Olivier Pays

Keyword(s):

Predation Risk ◽

Lycaon Pictus ◽

High Quality ◽

Vigilance Behaviour ◽

African Wild Dog ◽

African Wild Dogs ◽

Tragelaphus Strepsiceros ◽

Wild Dog ◽

Wild Dogs ◽

Aepyceros Melampus

Predators not only prey upon certain prey species, but also on certain age–sex classes within species. Predation risk and an individual’s response to this risk might therefore vary with an individual’s characteristics. We examined the proportion of time different age–sex classes of kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and impala (Aepyceros melampus) spent high quality vigilant (costly vigilance that detracts from all other activities) in response to mimicked predation risk by African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus). For both species predation risk was the main factor determining the investment in high quality vigilance behaviour. Age–sex class-specific responses were not related to age–sex class specific lethality risk presented by African wild dogs. For impala, regardless of predation risk, age seemed to have some effect on the investment in high quality vigilance with sub-adult impala spending more time high quality vigilant than adult impala, which is possibly why African wild dogs predominantly preyed upon adult impala.

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The Plio-Pleistocene ancestor of wild dogs, Lycaon sekowei n. sp.

Journal of Paleontology ◽

10.1666/09-124.1 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 84 (2) ◽

pp. 299-308 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Adam Hartstone-Rose ◽

Lars Werdelin ◽

Darryl J. De Ruiter ◽

Lee R. Berger ◽

Steven E. Churchill

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Fossil Record ◽

Ecological Niche ◽

New Taxon ◽

Lycaon Pictus ◽

Dietary Specialization ◽

African Wild Dogs ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Wild Dog ◽

Wild Dogs

African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) occupy an ecological niche characterized by hypercarnivory and cursorial hunting. Previous interpretations drawn from a limited, mostly Eurasian fossil record suggest that the evolutionary shift to cursorial hunting preceded the emergence of hypercarnivory in the Lycaon lineage. Here we describe 1.9—1.0 ma fossils from two South African sites representing a putative ancestor of the wild dog. the holotype is a nearly complete maxilla from Coopers Cave, and another specimen tentatively assigned to the new taxon, from Gladysvale, is the most nearly complete mammalian skeleton ever described from the Sterkfontein Valley, Gauteng, South Africa. the canid represented by these fossils is larger and more robust than are any of the other fossil or extant sub-Saharan canids. Unlike other purported L. pictus ancestors, it has distinct accessory cusps on its premolars and anterior accessory cuspids on its lower premolars—a trait unique to Lycaon among living canids. However, another hallmark autapomorphy of L. pictus, the tetradactyl manus, is not found in the new species; the Gladysvale skeleton includes a large first metacarpal. Thus, the anatomy of this new early member of the Lycaon branch suggests that, contrary to previous hypotheses, dietary specialization appears to have preceded cursorial hunting in the evolution of the Lycaon lineage. We assign these specimens to the taxon Lycaon sekowei n. sp.

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Managing the ranging behaviour of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) using translocated scent marks

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr11070 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 31 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Craig R. Jackson ◽

J. Weldon McNutt ◽

Peter J. Apps

Keyword(s):

Protected Area ◽

Scent Mark ◽

Scent Marks ◽

Lycaon Pictus ◽

Ranging Behaviour ◽

African Wild Dogs ◽

The Mean ◽

Wild Dog ◽

Wild Dogs ◽

Free Ranging

Context Conflict between large carnivores and livestock outside the boundaries of wildlife areas frequently results in losses to both livestock and predator populations. The endangered African wild dog (Lycaon pictus Temminck, 1820) is wide ranging and unrestricted by conventional fences, thereby posing a major challenge to conservation managers. Wild dogs are territorial and communicate residence using scent marks. Simulating the presence of other wild dogs using translocated foreign scent marks may therefore represent a means to manage wild dog ranging behaviour. Aims To investigate the effectiveness of using targeted scent-mark deployments to signal a wild dog pack to return to their frequented range within the safety of a protected area. Methods We report on the ranging behaviour of a wild dog pack reintroduced into a wildlife area in Botswana with no recent history of resident wild dogs. We describe daily movements by the free-ranging introduced pack and compare these to moves following targeted deployment of scent marks when the wild dog pack had ranged close to or outside the boundaries of the protected area. Key results Targeted foreign scent-mark exposure resulted in the pack moving closer to the geometric centre of its range. The mean distance travelled the day after exposure was significantly greater than the distance travelled the previous day and the mean daily distance moved during the study period. Conclusions Targeted exposure to foreign scent marks proved to be a viable alternative to recapturing dogs that had ranged beyond the boundaries of the wildlife area. Implications This novel approach to managing free-ranging carnivores utilises biologically relevant signals and holds potential not only for the conservation of African wild dogs, but also for other territorial species.

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