WildFact
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Information Section
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Terrestrial Wild Animals
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Carnivorous and Omnivores Animals, Excluding Felids
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Canids (Canidae) & Hyaenids (Hyaenidae)
African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)
African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)
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African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)
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African Parks
Lycaon pictus in Chinko reserve Central African Republic .  *This image is copyright of its original author
Beverly Joubert: " Gesundheit*! It’s not uncommon to see painted dogs sneeze as they begin to stir from their sleep in preparation for the hunt. Some research even suggests that sneezing is used as a kind of voting system that helps the pack make group decisions. Painted dogs are highly efficient social hunters, so communication and cohesion are key. Hunts are preceded by a sort of “social rally” in which the dogs dash about and touch heads while wagging their tails frantically. In some instances, the frenzy fizzles out and the dogs settle down to snooze, but other rallies end in a hunt. Researchers have noticed that the more sneezing that happens in these pre-hunt rituals, the greater the chances are that the dogs will go on to chase down prey. When an alpha male like this initiates the sneezing, far fewer sneezes are required to get the pack moving. It’s possible that the dogs do this to clear their nasal passages as they get ready to hunt, but it does seem to also serve as a form of communication. There is still so much we have to learn about the wonders of the wild! "
* Gesundheit ! = cheers !
Beverly Joubert: " There are not many sounds in the African bush that go unnoticed by painted dogs. Equipped with satellite-dish ears, this alpha male is tuned in to every murmur in his surroundings. His ears are lined with muscles so he can swivel them like radar dishes, detecting even the softest of sounds. Painted dogs rank among the most successful of Africa’s predators, in large part, thanks to the unique dynamics of their social structure. While many social carnivores settle internal disputes aggressively, painted dogs usually resort to submissive behaviour to help strengthen pack bonds. Lions squabble for scraps, but these canines have learned to share, and it is this cooperation – combined with their biological adaptations – that make painted dogs truly impressive predators. "
Jens Cullmann: " What happens here?!?
Today the story of a painted dogs hunt. One morning I was lucky in finding the dogs very early. I followed them for nearly two hours on foot through the bush. After three unsuccessful attempts to hunt impalas and warthogs the pack of ten adults and two puppies rested under a tree on a rising ground. From there they had a good overview in the surrounding. I rested well behind them and hid myself behind a tree. The temperature already started to get unpleasant for me. Suddenly from far came a big herd of eland antelopes with lots of youngsters. The herd took not notice of the dogs and walked widespread in the open. The painted dogs waited until the eland antelopes nearly did pass. Then the dogs got up and approached the antelopes slowly with their heads down. Then the attack towards the youngsters. The adult eland antelopes couldn’t defend the youngsters as they were spread in the area. Normally this antelopes make a circle. The young ones inside and the adults with the long horns defend the babies. But for this was no more time. They ran away and I tried now to follow. From far I saw the painted dogs taking out some babies. As I caught up to the dogs, they were about to kill three young eland antelopes. It was quite shocking to see the struggle of the young ones and the defenselessness of the adult antelopes. The dogs couldn’t finish so much meat. After gulping down as much as they could, they left the area to rest in the shade of a big tree. The arriving vultures took over. I was still alone and a bid sad that so many young eland antelopes were killed but happy to have witnessed nature at its rawest! ." " Chewing on a windpipe ... "
Jens Cullmann: " I might repeat myself: nature can look cruel. Here a baboon gets eaten by wild dogs. I realize it is sometimes tough to watch. Still I post these pictures because I love nature and all its sides. The pretty sunsets, animals playing, but also eat and get eaten. My ‘thing’ as a photographer is action. And well, I think we can all agree this is action. "
12 wild dogs kill 6 Persian fallow deer and 10 Barbary sheep at West Midland Safari Park in Bewdley, Worcestershire. They had temporarily escaped from their compound due to the damage that Storm Ciara caused: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/02...ari-gates/, https://news.sky.com/story/wild-dogs-kil...s-11933551, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020...afari-park, https://news.sky.com/story/wild-dogs-kil...s-11933551
Very rare photos of Lycaon pictus manguensis . In niokolo koba national park Senegal.
 *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author Source: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Wildlife-Sanctuary/Parc-National-Niokolo-Koba-282609412153585/
Beverly Joubert: " World Wildlife Day is a chance to reflect – to remind ourselves of the immeasurable importance of the natural world and all that it provides. This painted dog pup is oblivious to the complex melange of threats it may have to face one day – unaware of the persecution its species has endured or the vast tracts of precious habitat that have been stolen in the interests of greed. But it's also a symbol of hope for endangered animals. Despite the odds, nature is resilient. And with the help of dedicated conservationists, pups like this may one day be gazing into a more promising future. Happy #WorldWildlifeDay! "
James Tyrell: " Covered in blood, a wild dog looks back towards where the rest of its pack were finishing off an impala kill. "
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