Unprecedented Journey by Wild Dogs
A pack of three male African wild dogs has successfully completed a remarkable 2,485-mile (4000km) journey across Zambia. Scientists have identified this as the furthest recorded distance travelled by any African land mammal in search of a mate. The achievement offers a glimmer of hope for wildlife populations navigating increasingly human-dominated landscapes.
The three brothers undertook a zigzagging route over eight months, covering approximately 260 miles in a straight line, but nearly ten times that distance overall across a fragmented terrain. This behaviour, known as dispersal, is distinct from migration and involves travelling one way to find new territory and breeding opportunities with other packs, as wild dogs cannot breed within their birth pack.
The research, published in the journal Ecology, highlights the challenges faced by these endangered animals. African wild dogs are among the continent’s rarest predators, with only around 6,000 remaining in the wild. They rely on highly social packs and extensive roaming to find mates, as they typically disperse at two or three years old.
The journey’s significance lies not only in the distance covered but also in the route taken. The dogs navigated between wildlife strongholds, successfully avoiding major human obstacles such as the capital city, Lusaka, and heavily developed industrial zones. This suggests that wild dog populations across eastern and southern Africa may remain more connected than previously assumed. Professor Scott Creel, lead author of the study, expressed cautious optimism, stating it is “plausible to believe that every major wild dog population in eastern and southern Africa, other than fenced ones, are potentially connected.”
However, the study also underscores the severe dangers these animals face. Other wild dogs tracked with GPS collars during the research died in illegal snares. In one instance, three female wild dogs almost completed a similar epic journey, but their attempt was halted when one became trapped in a snare. This highlights the persistent threat of poaching, with Professor Creel noting that “the glass is half empty and the glass is half full” when considering conservation efforts.
The findings, detailed in a BBC report [1], advocate for the creation of natural land corridors connecting separate wildlife areas that are fragmented by roads, towns, and farms. Bruce Ellender, a co-author and director for environmental charity The Nature Conservancy, emphasised the need for broader thinking in conservation, stating, “We can’t see these protected areas as islands and expect them to be functional in the long term, we need to think much broader than that.”
This record-breaking trek was the longest African mammal movement ever recorded and the longest recorded wild dog dispersal, as reported by Mongabay [2]. The animals, nicknamed the Mayukuyuku males, departed from Kafue National Park and travelled towards the Luangwa River Valley, a journey comparable to half the distance between Cairo and Cape Town.
Threats to Wildlife Corridors
Despite the successful journey of the male pack, the research also revealed the perils faced by other tracked groups. A female wild dog, identified as EWD-1355, died in a hunter’s snare after travelling over 2,300 km (1,400 mi). Snares, often set for animals like antelope, pose a significant risk to wild dogs, which can be reluctant to leave injured pack members, potentially leading to multiple animals being trapped.
The study tracked 19 wild dog groups in total, many of which approached or reached international borders, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. This further supports the idea of interconnected populations across Southern and Eastern Africa.
Conservation Implications
Conservationists are calling for improved conservation models that recognise the need for connected landscapes. Matt Becker, chief executive of the Zambian Carnivore Programme and study co-author, suggested that integrating economic benefits through nature-based tourism or sustainable game ranching could help protect these vast roaming species like wild dogs and elephants. “We don’t need to separate people from nature,” he said. “We can have these large landscapes, large, connected areas, beneficial to both.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance of the record-breaking wild dog journey?
The three male African wild dogs travelled 2,485 miles (4000km).
Why do wild dogs travel such long distances?
They undertake these journeys, known as dispersals, in search of new territory and mates, as they cannot breed within their birth pack.
What are the main threats to African wild dogs?
Illegal poaching snares and human-dominated landscapes pose significant threats to the survival of African wild dogs.
How many African wild dogs are left?
There are only about 6,000 African wild dogs remaining in the wild.
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