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

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
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>

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

Behaviour ◽  
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.

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

Oryx ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-244 ◽  
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.

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

Oryx ◽  
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.

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

Behaviour ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 152 (9) ◽  
pp. 1209-1228 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Community Opinions about African Wild Dog Conservation and Relocations near the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Emmanuel H Masenga ◽  
Richard D Lyamuya ◽  
Mjingo E Eblate ◽  
Robert D Fyumagwa ◽  
Eivin Roskaft
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Local People ◽  
Serengeti National Park ◽  
Serengeti Ecosystem ◽  
African Wild Dog ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs

Conservation of the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) in human-dominated landscapes faces many challenges. Understanding human opinions of wild dog conservation is important to inform management decisions. Questionnaire surveys, including both open and closed-ended questions, were administered by researchers through face-to-face interviews of 297 respondents in the eastern part of the Serengeti ecosystem between January and February 2012. Our results indicated that most local people believed that wild dogs were extinct in the Serengeti ecosystem. According to the local people, wild dogs should have a high conservation priority. Moreover, tribe and gender are important demographic variables that explain the negative or positive perceptions ofattempts to relocate wild dogs from the Loliondo Game Controlled Area to the Serengeti National Park (SNP). We conclude that future conservation interventions should focus on the interface between community knowledge and modern conservation science.

scholarly journals Abundance, distribution and conservation threats of African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) in the Loliondo Game Controlled Area, Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
EMMANUEL MASENGA ◽  
SHOMBE N. HASSAN ◽  
KASHAIGILI JAPHET
Keyword(s):  
Abundance Distribution ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Lycaon Pictus ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
African Wild Dog ◽  
African Wild Dogs ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Conservation Threats ◽  
Wild Dogs

Abstract. Masenga E, Hasan SN, Japhet K. 2018. Abundance, distribution, and conservation threats of African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) in the Loliondo Game Controlled Area, Tanzania. Asian J For 2: 31-41. Assessment of abundance, distribution, and conservation threats to African wild dogs was conducted in Loliondo Game Controlled Area (LGCA), northern Tanzania. Specifically, the study focused on determining population size and structure, spatial distribution, attitudes of local people towards wild dogs and wild dog conservation and threats impacting the species. Semi-structured interviews, diurnal random searches, internal and external examinations of wild dogs carcasses examined, and night transect surveys were employed. Eight packs with a total of 132 recognized individuals at an average pack size of 16.50 ± SD 7.50 individuals were recorded. Pack sizes 3 individuals were reported to be sighted mostly and of all respondents (n= 210), only 26% were able to recognize wild dog sexes. The density of both known and unknown wild dogs was 0.19 animals/km2, higher compared to other carnivores. In terms of distribution, most of the packs were concentrated in the northern part as compared to the central and southern parts of LGCA. The species was observed to occur most in woodland type of vegetation. Interestingly, 55.30% of respondents showed a positive attitude towards wild dogs and wild dog conservation despite that 52.90% of respondents dismissed lack of any conservation action or strategy in place towards conserving the species. However, poisoning and Canine Distemper Virus were identified as the main threats. Therefore, conserving African wild dogs in LGCA requires mult-approach conservation efforts (i.e. awareness rising to community, fitting radio telemetry to the dogs and threats management interventions) due to nature of the species.

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

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.

scholarly journals Ecological trap in the buffer zone of a protected area: effects of indirect anthropogenic mortality on the African wild dog Lycaon pictus

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther van der Meer ◽  
Hervé Fritz ◽  
Peter Blinston ◽  
Gregory S.A. Rasmussen
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Ecological Trap ◽  
Lycaon Pictus ◽  
African Wild Dog ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
African Wild Dogs ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Hwange National Park ◽  
Wild Dogs

AbstractBecause of the large home range requirements of wide-ranging carnivores, protected areas are often too small to maintain large populations. Consequently these carnivores regularly move outside protected areas, where they are likely to be exposed to anthropogenic mortality. We used data from 15 packs of radio-collared African wild dogs Lycaon pictus to examine the level of anthropogenic mortality African wild dogs experience around Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, and tried to determine whether the buffer zone outside the Park acts as an ‘ecological trap’. Over time, study packs moved their territories closer to or beyond the Park border. With the movement of territories into the buffer zone outside the Park, African wild dogs experienced an increasing level of anthropogenic mortality. Although larger litters were born outside the Park, mortality exceeded natality. Densities of the African wild dog in the study area were low and territories for given pack sizes were smaller outside the Park. Hence, the movement of packs outside the Park does not appear to be density related and the buffer zone is therefore unlikely to function as a classic sink. Favourable ecological conditions indicate that the buffer zone outside the Park is likely to serve as an ecological trap, with fitness-enhancing factors attracting African wild dogs outside the Park, where they are incapable of perceiving the higher mortality risk associated with mostly indirect anthropogenic causes. As far as we know this is one of the first studies describing an ecological trap for mammals.

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

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249860
Author(s):  
Paola Bouley ◽  
Antonio Paulo ◽  
Mercia Angela ◽  
Cole Du Plessis ◽  
David G. Marneweck
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Population Expansion ◽  
Large Carnivores ◽  
Lycaon Pictus ◽  
African Wild Dogs ◽  
Pack Formation ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
Indicators Of Success

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.

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

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-308 ◽  
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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document