In Search Of The African Wild Dog

Arguable the most successful hunter in Africa, the African wild dog, ironically finds itself on the brink of extinction. Part of the Canidae family, and sharing a general similarity with the various canids worldwide, the African wild dog differs fundamentally from other canids: it belongs to the genus, Lycaon, which formed a new branch on the family tree some 3 million years back and subsequently evolved independently. Today it is the only survivor of this unique line and, because of its genetic difference, is unable to interbreed with any of its canid relatives or even with the domestic dog. Previously found in diverse habitats across the continent, it has tragically disappeared from much of its former range. Today there are only an estimated 3,000 to 5,500 wild dogs left in the whole of Africa, a mere 500 of which occur in South Africa.In spite of, or perhaps because of, the elusive nature of the wild dogs and their limited population numbers, Roger and Pat have produced their best book yet.

There are roughly 6,600 wild dogs left in Africa yet they have cast such a spell on top wildlife photographer and naturalist Jocelin Kagan that she is determined to help save them. If left to their own devices, they are more than capable of thriving, as this sumptuous photographic natural history shows. Jocelin has called in world experts to add their latest findings about these resourceful, graceful and highly skilled family groups. Nomadic predators whose territories range thousands of kilometres, they hunt co-operatively, preying on small herbivores. Non-confrontational, they form complex bonds as this book reveals. Now restricted to small populations and threatened by some shoot-to-kill policies, habitat fragmentation, diseases from domestic dogs, climate change and snares, as well as natural predation from hyenas and lions, Africa's wild dogs will be supported by all the royalties from this book.

With only 5,000 surviving, the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) is one of the world's most endangered large carnivores--and one of the most remarkable. This comprehensive portrait of wild dogs incorporates previously scattered information with important new findings from a six-year study in Tanzania's Selous Game Reserve, Africa's largest protected area. The book emphasizes ecology, concentrating on why wild dogs fare poorly in protected areas that maintain healthy populations of lions, hyenas, or other top carnivores. In addition to conservation issues, it covers fascinating aspects of wild dog behavior and social evolution. The Creels use demographic, behavioral, endocrine, and genetic approaches to examine how and why nonbreeding pack mates help breeding pairs raise their litters. They also present the largest data set ever collected on mammalian predator-prey interactions and the evolution of cooperative hunting, allowing them to account for wild dogs' prowess as hunters. By using a large sample size and sophisticated analytical tools, the authors step well beyond previous research. Their results include some surprises that will cause even specialists to rethink certain propositions, such as the idea that wild dogs are unusually vulnerable to infectious disease. Several findings apply broadly to the management of other protected areas. Of clear appeal to ecologists studying predation and cooperation in any population, this book collects and expands a cache of information useful to anyone studying conservation as well as to amateurs intrigued by the once-maligned but extraordinary wild dog.

This book was written by undergraduate students at The Ohio State University (OSU) who were enrolled in the class Introduction to Environmental Science. The chapters describe some of Earth's major environmental challenges and discuss ways that humans are using cutting-edge science and engineering to provide sustainable solutions to these problems. Topics are as diverse as the students, who represent virtually every department, school and college at OSU. The environmental issue that is described in each chapter is particularly important to the author, who hopes that their story will serve as inspiration to protect Earth for all life.

The African lion (Panthera leo), long celebrated as the king of beasts, faces unprecedented challenges in the wild today. Loss of habitat through the expansion of human activity increasingly restricts the lion to game reserves and national parks, while diseases such as bovine tuberculosis pose a threat to the health of lion prides. Over a period of two years, Roger and Pat de la Harpe have documented wild lions of South Africa, and the result is a superbly photographed and engagingly written tribute to this often misunderstood predator. In Search of the African Lion enters the complex world of the lion, describing pride dynamics, hunting patterns, the reproductive cycle and interactions with human communities. The book focuses on four main areas: the Kalahari, the Madikwe/Mapungubwe area, the Greater Kruger National Park and Northern Zululand -each with its own problems, challenges and opportunities. In addition, the authors highlight the important work done by game rangers, wildlife managers and scientific researchers in understanding the lion and in protecting existing populations. The In Search of... series focuses on the plight of threatened and endangered species. Also available by the same authors: In Search of the African Wild Dog.

"450 is optimistically the number of free-ranging African wild dogs left in South Africa. If ever a charismatic, African species could be considered an underdog in the face of human development, the wild dog, Lycaon pictus is it. Available habitat is in short supply. An abundance of fences and roads cut the landscape. They are loved. They are despised. The immediate future of this dynamic, endangered, large carnivore is in the hands of a thinly spread, intensely committed network of conservationists, donors, state reserves and progressive landowners. When an opportunity to study wild dogs through the Endangered Wildlife Trust presented itself to Brendan Whittington-Jones in 2007, he arrived in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park naive to the challenges of real wildlife conservation. The next seven years were a flood of lessons in the complexity and fascination of wild dog management, anger management, Microsoft Office, diplomacy, optimism and how to play wild dog travel agent. The camaraderie of the unconventional crew of devoted field staff and researchers who dedicate so much to keep the species running was a revelation. This book lifts the gloss and illusion off a wedge of carnivore conservation, and reveals a snapshot of characters (human and canid) and organisations which tread the murky waters of trying to ensure the species' persistence in South Africa. There is only hope through action; and remembering a cold beer at sunset and good bloody laugh can restore a little sanity."--Back cover.

Discusses the African wild dog, including its physical characteristics, habitat, and behavior.

- Remembering African Wild Dogs is the stunning sixth book in the Remembering Wildlife charity series - The aim of the creators is to make the most beautiful photographic book ever seen on a species and to use that to raise awareness of the plight facing that animal and also funds to protect it - Remembering African Wild Dogs is full of images generously donated by many of the world's top wildlife photographers - All profits from the sale of this book will be donated to projects working to protect wild dogs in Africa - over $1 million USD has been raised by the series so farRemembering African Wild Dogs is the sixth book in the Remembering Wildlife fundraising series, which has so far raised more than USD $1 million for conservation. The aim of the creators is to make the most beautiful book ever seen on a species and use that to raise awareness of the plight facing that animal and funds to protect it. Each book is full of images generously donated by many of the world's top wildlife photographers and also gives an overview of the species, its distribution and the challenges it faces. All profits from the sale of this book will be donated to projects working to protect wild dogs in Africa.