Painted Dogs: Africa’s Fascinating & Widely Misunderstood Canid

Jun 28
4 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

By Cristina Rodriguez-Wagner, Visitor Center Coordinator

*Painted dogs have large round ears and fur with splashes of black, gold, and white that create patterns unique to each individual (credit African Wildlife Foundation)*

In many ways, painted dogs are the African counterpart to gray wolves in North America. In fact, the scientific name for painted dogs is Lycaon pictus, which roughly translates to "painted wolf-like animal." Based on appearances alone, you would never mix the two species up. Painted dogs have large round ears and fur with splashes of black, gold, and white that create patterns unique to each individual. But nevertheless, the similarities between these two canid species lies in their social structure and the roles they play in their respective ecosystems.

Like wolves, painted dogs live in family groups led by a breeding pair, which are commonly referred to as packs. On average, a pack consist of 6-12 individuals who spend 80% of their time in close association with one another, which is more than any other wild canid species, and fights rarely occur. This makes painted dogs praiseworthy examples of pack unity. Additionally, painted dogs are among the few species known to care and feed their sick, injured, and older pack members. They also have an enormous repertoire of vocalizations consisting of soft, high-pitched yelps and squeals, which, combined with their body language, allows them to communicate at a very high level.

An African painted dog in Zimbabwe (credit Painted Dog Research) — *An African painted dog in Zimbabwe* *(credit Painted Dog Research)*

This strong pack unity and communication, paired with their strength and speed, are key factors that make painted dogs excellent cooperative hunters. In fact, African painted dogs have a hunting success rate that ranges from 60-70% (impressive compared to gray wolves’ 10% success rate)! Similar to wolves, painted dogs have a diet which consists mainly of ungulates. In Africa, this includes gazelle, antelope, impala, kudu, and wildebeest.

Painted dogs are considered a keystone species in the African ecosystem, akin to gray wolves in North America. Not only do they manage prey populations from growing too large, but they also promote a healthier ecosystem. This is achieved by their nomadic nature - traveling great distances and moving game around as they do so, preventing herbivores from overgrazing and damaging the ecosystem.

However, African painted dogs have dealt with their fair share of struggles comparable to the persecution gray wolves have faced in North America. Historically, painted dogs once had a range throughout much of Sub-Saharan Africa. Today, the species is considered endangered, with the population consisting of approximately 6,600 individuals scattered across south and east Africa. There are many threats to the population, including habitat loss, effects of tourism, and road collisions. But the biggest issue they face is human-wildlife conflict.

(credit African Wildlife Foundation)

Habitat loss and fragmentation has restricted their hunting ranges and denning sites, pushing them into areas where they can come into conflict with farmers and livestock. Frequently called African wild dogs, they have been stereotyped as savage killers and blamed for killing cattle. This has led farmers and ranchers to preemptively shoot painted dogs to protect their livestock. Wire snares are also a danger, which are set by poachers in the African bush to capture prey species for the illegal bushmeat trade. Wire snares are indiscriminate, meaning they are just as likely to kill or injure nontarget animals, such as painted dogs, as they are the species they are set out for.

These issues highlight the importance of organizations such as Painted Dog Research (PDR), whose mission is to dispel misconceptions and address threats to these endangered species. Founded by Dr. Greg Rasmussen, PDR is an organization dedicated to the long-term research of painted dogs in Zimbabwe and other range states. Among their research and projects, PDR has disproven painted dogs as a main cause of cattle loss, when in fact, only 2% of losses can be attributed to painted dog predation from 1987 to 2003. PDR researchers use satellite collars for data collecting, and have also fitted painted dogs with "lifesaving collars." These lifesaving collars are reflective to make them more visible by humans and therefore less likely to be struck by vehicles. PDR has even designed anti-snare collars, which prevents wire snares from severely injuring or killing painted dogs.

*An African painted dog family (credit Painted Dog Research)*

Wolf Haven has found a kindred spirit in PDR and admires how they are grounded in science and conservation. PDR also takes a holistic approach to educating the public and raising awareness by including all stakeholders - such as farmers, school children, and local communities. They do humanitarian work too, which can be seen in projects such as their Wire Snare Painted Dog statues. These works of art integrate indigenous women into entrepreneurship and are made of wire that could otherwise be used for snares.

We are excited to share that Wolf Haven has partnered with PDR and now have some of their statues available for purchase in our Visitor Center as well as online store. A portion of the sales from each statue will be donated to PDR to support the continuation of their conservation research on African painted dogs and provide a livelihood for indigenous artisans in local communities within the regions where painted dogs live.