African Wild Dog Info

   As you all may know, the African Wild Dog is an endangered species. It is known by many other names such as: African Hunting Dog, The Painted Dog, Painted Wolf, Painted Hunting Dog, Cape Hunting Dog, Spotted Wolf and the Ornate Wolf. It is the most social member of the canine family. It is not related to the wolf family, for it is in the group, Lycaon Pictus. The African Wild Dog comes in a range of colors but is mostly tan with black, brown, tan and white blotches on the pelt. The African Wild Dog has a black mask and usually brown eyes. In size, the African Wild Dog stands 75 centimeters(30 inches) at the shoulder, with the head and body length of 75-141 centimeters(30-56 inches) adding its tail length of 30 to 45 centimeters(12 to 18 inches). African Wild Dogs in southern Africa are larger then those living in eastern or western Africa.

   These magnificent animals live only in Africa. Their population has gone from 500,000 dogs to 3,000-5,500 dog in the past decade. It breaks my heart to find that we humans are but one cause of this soon-to-be extinct species. Rabies, distemper, and parvovirus are only 3 of the causes that are constantly pushing their species on the edge of extinction. Humans poison and trap them because they blame them for killing livestock. These dog DO NOT kill their livestock, for they live on the diet of wildebeast calves, kudu, reedbuck, springbok, Thomson's Gazelle and sometimes dangerous prey such as giraffe calves, American Buffalo and antelope-sometimes the one-ton Giant Eland. They may also hunt zebras and warthogs on an occasional hunger.

   These dogs are strongly effected by the constant territorial threats of humans building homes near their habitats, lions, and the Spotted Hyena. Lions sometimes kill the dogs' pups but they DO NOT eat them.

    It sadens me that humans are to blame for their species being so close to extinction. I am a true animal lover and am here to tell others of their species. I've started to post around every place I can to help them and even advertise in my school. These animals have no voice to speak up for themselves like you and I. They have no freedom to roam around and give speeches to help them thrive Africa like they once had many years ago. These animals NEED your help now. Please, have a heart and donate to one of the conservations below to help them. ONE penny can save millions of these animals. Have a heart.

   Visit these links:

http://www.harnas.org/harnas/projects/wild-dog/

http://www.awdconservancy.org/

http://wildnet.org/

If this was your dog and you had the chance to save his/her life, would you? If you would, imagine this African Wild Dog was yours and you had a chance to save her. Would you save her? (she's the image above)