African Wild Dogs: Conservationists Battle Prejudice to Save the Continent's Most Hated Carnivore
To boost genetic diversity and protect the African wild dog population, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is undertaking relocation efforts. Since 1997, the population has risen by over 344 individuals. Recently, three sisters from Mozambique were transported to the Welgevonden Game Reserve in South Africa, though one unfortunately succumbed to capture myopathy. The EWT's strategy includes managing a 'meta population' across various reserves, such as Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. In 2025, there are reports of 150 puppies in South Africa, Mozambique, and Malawi, while the global wild dog population stands at only 6,600. Conservationists Cole du Plessis and Reilly Mooney stress the importance of community involvement, as human-related deaths represent 44% of wild dog fatalities, underscoring the tension between conservation efforts and human activities.
Key facts
- The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has increased the African wild dog population by more than 344 since 1997.
- Three female wild dogs were flown from Karingani Game Reserve in Mozambique to Welgevonden Game Reserve in South Africa.
- One of the sisters died from capture myopathy, a stress-related condition.
- Wild dogs have an 80% kill rate, making them Africa's most successful hunters.
- Human causes account for 44% of wild dog deaths in Kenya, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.
- The Waterberg area in South Africa has only 27 wild dogs, according to Reilly Mooney.
- In 2025, the EWT project had 150 puppies across South Africa, Mozambique, and Malawi.
- The amount of land set aside for wild dogs has grown by 1.5 million hectares over three decades.
- Wild dogs are known for their playful behavior and unique sneezing to signal departure.
- The EWT uses specially designed bomas with features like underground walls to prevent digging.
Entities
Artists
- Marcus Westberg
- Jana Pauwels
- Joseph Hlako
- Eugene Greyling
- Briana Abrahms
- Neil Jordan
- Cole du Plessis
- Reilly Mooney
Institutions
- Endangered Wildlife Trust
- World Wildlife Fund
- University of New South Wales
- Waterberg Wild Dog Initiative
- Kruger National Park
- Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
- Welgevonden Game Reserve
- Karingani Game Reserve
- Smithsonian Magazine
Locations
- South Africa
- Mozambique
- Botswana
- Zimbabwe
- Kenya
- Malawi
- Waterberg
- Johannesburg
- KwaZulu-Natal Province
- Rietspruit
- Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
- Welgevonden Game Reserve
- Karingani Game Reserve
- Kruger National Park
- Wisconsin
- Australia