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Namibia: The Wild Dog - Victim of an Unfair Reputation
Windhoek - The African wild dog is important to farmers as they keep smaller predators in check, but sadly one of the endangered animals was killed in the Windhoek district in December last year.

With the killing of larger carnivores such as the African wild dog, jackal numbers increase dramatically and are almost impossible to contain, says Robine Lines of the Wild Dog Project.
 
Livestock losses to jackals can be severe, especially small livestock and young calves.

Lines said the wild dog was shot on a farm 14 km west of Uhlenhorst although it had not caused farmers any problems.

"This animal, probably two to three years old and dispersing from its natal pack, would have endured a quite extraordinary journey through hostile farming communities, looking for a mate and feeding on steenbok, duiker and hares which make up 90 per cent of its diet," he said.

The African wild dog is the most endangered large mammal in southern Africa.

Namibia's national wild dog population is around 300 individuals, 95 per cent of which live unprotected in communal and commercial farming areas in northeastern Namibia. "Without significant support, Namibia is very likely to lose an entire genus in the lifetime of many readers," said Lines. In recent years, research has shown that the persecution of African wild dogs far exceeds any financial losses they cause to farmers.

The African wild dog, whose scientific name is Lycaon pictus, is the last remaining species in the genus Lycaon. Lines said inherited prejudice and misunderstanding of the African wild dog has led to its extermination and near-extinction. The animals are regularly and incorrectly blamed for livestock losses, but killing them does not solve farmers' problems. The Latin name Lycaon pictus means "painted wolf-like animal" and their coats are mottled in shades of brown, black and beige.

The average African wild dog weighs between 16 and 36 kg and they can live up to 10 years. The dog's preferred habitat is savannas, grasslands and woodlands. According to the website of the Washington-based animal rights group Defenders of Wildlife, threats to the African wild dog include habitat loss, human persecution (hunting and poisoning), diseases spread from domestic animals and isolated populations.

The African wild dog is listed on Appendix I of the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites).

This is a list of highly endangered animal and plant species, and trading in any products derived from them is prohibited.


http://allafrica.com/stories/200801180541.html
 

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