The African Wild Dog

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Endangered Species: The African Wild Dog

The African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are among the many endangered carnivores, which are found mainly sub-Saharan Africa. The population of the African wild dogs is estimated to be less than 5000 (Mills 177). In spite of the reduction in their numbers, governments have a critical role to play to ensure the survival of the African wild dogs.

The decline in the number of the African wild dogs is attributable to the fragmentation of their habitat, persecution by people, competition from larger carnivores as well as disease outbreaks (Mills178). According to Chandler (136), there has been a widespread and systematic persecution of the African wild dog by people over the years. Like many species, wild dogs live in patchily distributed habitats and continually face the threat of dislocation as people clear more land for agricultural purposes (Gittleman 84). In addition, people kill wild dogs to reduce the threat to their animals, thus contributing to their diminishing numbers (Creel and Creel 7). Gittleman (53) points also to the threat of predation by large carnivores such as lions, arguing that the population of wild dogs is low in areas with a high population of lions. Lastly, disease outbreaks also contribute to the declining numbers of the African wild dog. Infectious diseases such as rabies and canine distemper continue to claim thousands of African wild dogs annually causing concerns over their existence in the coming years (Chimimba and Skinner 479).

Conservation is best method of saving the African wild dog (Creel and Creel 36). Conservation efforts will ensure less interaction with people and thus guarantee survival of the African wild dog (Brown 45). However, such efforts will not bear fruit without enough funding, hence the need to engage the donor community as well as charitable organizations (Chandler 133). The funds raised would be helpful in putting the African wild dogs in safe areas, besides providing vaccination and treatment to sick dogs (Chandler 152). Lastly, the other important area is creating awareness. It is important to educate people on the importance of conserving wild animals. Posterity and the economic value of the African wild dogs should ignite the conscience of the people to respect the wild dogs.

In conclusion, the African wild dog is among the many endangered species. The threat to their survival includes conflicts with people, predation by large carnivores, as well as diseases. In order to reduce the mortality rates, conservation efforts would be helpful, besides educating people on the importance of conserving wildlife.

Works Cited

Brown, Karen. Mad Dogs and Meerkats: A History of Resurgent Rabies in Southern Africa. London:  New York: Ohio University Press, 2011. Print.

Chandler, J. Sydney. Assessing African Wild Dog (Lycaon Pictus) Survival and Impact on Private Lands: A Non-spatial Individual Based Simulation Model.  London: Oxford University press, 2014. Print