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Home , African wild dog, Leopard

MODULE 1 1 context of effective management effective of context Conservation Biology of and wild in the dog wild and cheetah of Biology Conservation along their back which they gradually lose as they get older. get they lose as gradually fur along their back which they such, have and as during the day diurnal, are Cheetah the reduce help to that their faces on marks” special “tear This is another distinguishing sun. of the hot African glare them. of feature but cheetah with cubs, unless solitary are females Cheetah Cheetah “coalitions”. called singly or in groups live can males of their months three during the first in a “den” kept are cubs and spotted to vulnerable are and this is when they lives How do you tell the difference between a cheetah, a and a ? a leopard a cheetah, between difference the tell do you How While prey, its running down . member of the specialised is a unique and The cheetah body is on land. Its creature making it the fastest of 103km per hour, speeds reach it can shape - long thin legs, small giving it a distinctive high speeds, reaching to uniquely adapted when help grip the earth and flexible tail. To long but flexible spine and a long but strong head, - refer other like retract do not completely that claws have cheetah high speed, running at (with cat part their spoor the unique appearance, This gives claws”. “semi-retractable as to coloured a “mane” of light have cubs Cheetah marks). dog (with claw part and hind lobes) three ) are two unique and special unique two pictus) are wild) and African jubatus dog ( ( Cheetah ” by “vulnerable as is listed The cheetah Africa. to confined now essentially , large our help to need urgently ” - so both and the wild list, dog “endangered data Red the IUCN survive. of cheetah biology about the conservation available and information literature is extensive There provides and so this manual busy extremely are wildlife managers wildand African Many dog. often are know we ” - the question questions asked “frequently to using answers information knowledge. all available of summarising a way - as managers or by of managers, asked do not hesitate module, please in this answered is not that a question have you should However, or visit our website Wide the Range on [email protected] contact to Programme www.cheetahandwilddog.org. questions: asked Frequently trade. cub trafficing the illegal for being caught and to , and of high speed with bursts their prey running down hunters, successful very are will the cheetah fallen, the has Once claw. dew then tripping it up using their powerful until it begin feeding often cannot a cheetah a hunt After the neck. to it with a bite suffocate other to making it vulnerable again breath, its recovered has kills. steal that and spotted and wildlife managers conservationists of Africa, parts In many and the general communities, farming rural that reaslise have or serval. with either leopard cheetah confuse public often “spotted are cats all three that given This is understandable habitat a broad and have occur in wildlife areas that cats” distribution. and the the difference tell to how learn such communities that important it is very However, help use to can you points key a few explains page and on the following below points following the difference. people tell FAQ 1. MODULE 1 2 context of effective management effective of context Conservation Biology of cheetah and wild dog in the dog wild and cheetah of Biology Conservation Wild usually have is durin what their litters the denning as to referred In Southern Africa season. and holes in disused kept are Puppies July. to May this is from while the pups the others guarding is left usually one adult and return and then kill a carcass Adults and devour hunt. It is guard. as left and the adult the pups for food regurgitate in vulnerable wild most during this period that dogs are and in human hyeanas, spotted lions and to areas protected dug are find and if puppies to easy are a) they as landscapes by and game livestock by Each their herds. “decimates” that a as producers rather marks scent through its defending is territorial breed, to also cooperate or sound. Packs attacks than physical of the and one male being parents with usually only one femal members but all pack (the alpha male and female), pups been observed never have As females pup care. to contributing other pack from without assitstance adulthood to raise to the as used often are than individuals, rather packs, members, be can sizes Litter wild size. dog population of measuring units been 21 have as many as although 10 -11 puppies average large, Cheetah spots are small and solid and they have no stripes have and they and solid small are spots Cheetah close up that occur in groups spots Leopard coat. on their along stripes have flower. of a petals the resemble legs. of their front the top of their neck towards the back long tail and a relatively long thin bodies, have Cheetahs short have marks. tear with distinctive small heads no neck) and no tear (almost heads with large thick bodies and are marks, a short tail tear and no have Serval marks. of a cheetah. about half the size (similar a dog) to claws show of cheetah prints The paw do not. and serval but those of a leopard dog (or hyaena)? domestic wildAre dogs not a type of feral out and killed the pack normally moves on and b) because during this period they will stay and hunt will during this period they stay on and b) because normally moves out and killed the pack or livestock (whether the farmer to noticable be more and will, therefore, small area in a relatively game). a variety of feral dog or hyeana. They are referred to by a variety of names - African of names a variety by to referred are They dog or hyeana. of feral not a variety and are as and in old literature worf dog, painted dog,hunting painted Group Canid Specialist the IUCN dog,the Cape hunting but for wild dog”. us “African we Packs family. of the canid highly social members are They mainly of medium- which consists their prey hunt to cooperate from in size range but many ,) (particularly sized eland). Hunting occasionally, and dik even, (and dik to kills being 80% of attempted much as high (as is often success targeted been unfairly has the species a result and as successful), recorded. and white with brown, coats Wild coloured brightly dogs have This means a unique pattern. having coat markings each the through easily relatively be monitored can populations that The detail). more of individuals (see Module 7 for identification members pack possibly for allow white, to ends of their tails are when hunting. the bush other through each follow to Lycaon pictus), endemic (ie. only occur) in Africa Wild (Lycaon in a unique a unique species dogs are 2. MODULE 1 3 context of effective management effective of context Conservation Biology of cheetah and wild dog in the dog wild and cheetah of Biology Conservation the original research when they explored the correlation between the correlation explored when they the original research most and Finally, variability. genetic of juvenile and level survival dynamics and population behavioural subsequent importantly, have cheetah where (and other areas in the approaches and lions, hyeanas by of cubs that revealed been studied) driving variation the main factor was variability, genetic and not low where in areas that Hence the fact in juvenile in cheetah. survival is and wild prey been extirpated, have hyaena lion and spotted (eg. the dramatically increased have populations cheetah available and ). of , a farmlands In addition, - this is referred to as the minimum viable population (MVP). However, often we are not sure exactly not sure are we often (MVP). However, viable population the minimum as to - this is referred and breed interact, they it also depends on how an MVP as for need we species of each many how use the area. - the alpha male and Wild breed only one male and one female where a social species dogs are “breeders”. are individuals within the pack dogs only two of 40 a pack had if you So even female. unit not individuals . Pack the breeding as “packs” to Hence in the wild refer dog biology we successfully. a litter raise to 4 dogs unlikely that less with a pack success breeding for is important size of packs marking. Different scent but through not physically Wild their territory, dogs will defend the scent act as that (faeces) with scat marked are that within their territories wild dogs will stay can an areas that of packs the number limits essentially behaviour Such territorial boundary. distances large very over sometimes support. Adult wild groups, dogs will in same sex disperse been recorded). 500km have (approx. All populations of animals need a minimum number of genetically distinct individuals to be viable individuals to distinct a minimum number of genetically of animals need All populations Are cheetahs genetically doomed? genetically cheetahs Are survive? them to for in an area and wild need cheetah dogs do you many How monomorphic - in other words, they showed low levels of genetic diversity and as such were in such were and as diversity of genetic levels low showed they monomorphic - in other words, of genetic level this low that also argued papers The effects. inbreeding from of suffering danger analyses recent more In fact in the species. of juvenile mortality of high levels cause the was diversity the first, not valid: are papers research in the original put forward arguments the that shown have number this restricted that showed number of loci and evidence done on a reduced were analyses studies comparative Second, in cheetahs. of heterozygosity the importance artificially reduced types different possess etc.) , , , (eg. carnivores, taxa different that showed of half the levels approximately , having a group as with carnivores of heterozygosity, by account into not taken were Such differences of other mammalian species. and heterozygosity genetically are of Africa parts different from cheetah that shown has paper scientific important recent populations. animals and restoring when translocating account into be taken and this must distinct, Do cheetahs only occur in ? only occur Do cheetahs genetically were cheetah that suggested that published were papers of influential a series In the 1980’s variety of habitats, from desert through grassland to thick bush. Although the cheetah kills Although the cheetah thick bush. to savannas grassland through desert from of habitats, variety a for speeds such only maintain kill can to it, they prey its up and trips of high speed using bursts This means overheat. muscles and their run out of energy which they of time, after short period fields, dambos, old abandoned - vleis, successfully hunt them to for is suitable clearing any that ecosystem. Serengeti-Mara of the open publicized the well as well as open scrubland encouraging areas, in open only observed often are animals and they and shy solitary are Cheetahs suitable. are only grasslands that the belief thornscrub and/or by Bush-encroachment is of some of Africa parts in many lantana as of cheetah the conservation for concern and open patches if any few have such areas hunt will successfully be able to not cheetahs productive less are such areas in thick bush. Also available reducing species all wild game for the reduces and bush encroachment prey, Creating livestock. for of gazing productivity such bush encroached within open areas but the cheetah to just not is beneficial habitat well. as livestock and species, other wild game communities. local fuel by as be used can the wood In addition, in dense , swamps, hunt being able to of habitat, wild dogs occur in a wide range Similarly, the species. for marginal being with only the deserts semi-arid areas, slopes, high mountain Despite their specialised hunting strategy, cheetah are habitat generalists, ranging across a wide across ranging generalists, habitat are cheetah strategy, hunting specialised their Despite 3. 5. 4. MODULE 1 4 2 context of effective management effective of context Two records of the distance that wild dogs disperse records of the distance Two Conservation Biology of cheetah and wild dog in the dog wild and cheetah of Biology Conservation Graph showing that cheetah and wild dog home ranges much larger that required and wild dog home ranges Graph showing that cheetah to support their energy needs. This is because of competition with other large carnivores such as lions and spotted hyeanas. Cheetah are promiscuous with males mating males with promiscuous are Cheetah through pass that females with a number of shown it was ago A few their territory. more have could cubs of cheetah a litter that hold male cheetahs Territorial one father. that with a overlap that small territories relatively home ranges - female number of females large It has not defended. and are large typically are with other large in comparison that been shown home the largest have cheetah carnivores in 2000km using up to with females ranges, and both cheetah In fact of Africa. some parts than is larger home ranges wild dogs have needs. support their energy to required Diagram showing how territorial male cheetah home ranges overlap with the large female Diagram showing how territorial male cheetah ranges expected from their energy needs. One explanation for this is that both species are part of the guild part are both species this is that for explanation One needs. their energy from expected of the guild interact Members ecosystems. in carnivores of large community) (ecological The hyeanas. lions and spotted by impacted and wild negatively dog are and cheetah competitively as to referred kills - a behaviour also appropriate and seek out and kill actively cubs/puppies latter making a kill, of energy losing deal a great and wild dog expend As both cheetah kleptoparistism. In the case on their survival. impact negative a large has hyaena a kill either a lion or a spotted to a for not bred has the pack that means lions or hyaenas to of puppies of wild dogs, losing a litter whole . high densities have of the lion and often strongholds some of the lasat are Africa areasof Protected be to and will prefer such areas and wild dogs will avoid Hence cheetahs often hyaenas. of spotted reduced to of people will lead the presence where parks national surrounding in the areas resident of This is the paradox landscapes. or in unprotected populations, lion and hyaena and cheetah suitability for reducing mean can populations lion and hyaena - increasing conservation wild dog. and wild that dog within them, it is just cheetah resident will still have areas protected However, to It is imperative species. of the two support viable populations to unlikely are they on their own and wild cheetah where of Africa and in other parts areas, protected surrounding in the areas work with human coexistence successful for opportunities increase still survive, to dog populations communities. As explained under FAQ 5, cheetah and wild dogs have home ranges that are larger than would be than would larger are that home ranges and wild dogs have 5, cheetah under FAQ As explained Are protected areas sufficient to conserve cheetah and wild cheetah dog? conserve to sufficient areas protected Are viable. Wherever possible this should happen naturally through connecting areas of habitat (referred habitat of areas connecting through possible naturally happen this should Wherever viable. the long term to is key such, connectivity and, as corridors) as to of Africa, In some parts range. current within its of this species survival and/or individual dogs humans moving out by is carried dispersal and in both human but this is costly another to one area from packs of small a series to refers A meta-population resources. financial one large form together that corridors through linked populations the viability on the corridors viable population, of which is dependent section, Introduction the map in the to Referring intact. remaining of be part to is likely range will much wildyou see that dog resident with the artificially moved wild Where dogs are a meta-population. a managed as to is referred population resultant help of humans, the meta-population. areas large over disperse also cheetahs Subadult is just landscape in the and hence the connectivity of viable populations maintaining to critical as with wild as dogs. cheetah and of cheetah on numbers than focus So rather large maintaining to wild work is to dog, the answer with coexist and can tolerated are they where areas such populations, prey humans, with abundant through other similar to areas being connected areas then If this is achieved habitat. of suitable corridors ability species of the two the reproductive given and wild dogs per litter 6 cubs average (cheetahs their ability use success, to 10 - 11), their hunting of wild variety on a prey and to of habitats a variety will they will survive. that species, mean prey Such outgoing dispersal needs to be matched by incoming dispersal if a population is to remain is to a population if dispersal incoming by matched be to needs dispersal outgoing Such 6. MODULE 1 5 context of effective management effective of context Conservation Biology of cheetah and wild dog in the dog wild and cheetah of Biology Conservation in the area where impala are less common less are impala where in the area antelope also include a number of smaller They and . such as - species and dik dik being some - , in their diet species antelope and large of cheetahs Although coalitions examples. such species of wild antelope dogs do killpacks larger their diet of eland and , the percentage kudu, as small. is usually very species of these is comprised and wild dogs occur cheetah previously As mentioned ever to unlikely therefore, and are, densities low at Are cheetah and wild dogs a threat to human life? human to and wild cheetah a threat dogs Are Do wild dogs carry disease? in areas where wildlife provides income through . Cheetahs hunting. trophy through income wildlife provides where in areas of managers animals” by “problem as targeted and wild are dogs often hunters be successful to observed are they as wildlife areas consumptive wildlife resource. the valuable be decimating must they and, therefore, or similar on impala, sized predominantly and wild dog prey Cheetahs populations. of impact a large have farms game fenced heavily such as systems enclosed In unnatural to use the fences they as populations wild game reduce begin to can both species unfortunately and it is trapped where the fence up to the prey chasing help them kill prey, kill can larger cheetahs of dogs and/or packs that This means down. take to easy and wild dog is of cheetah the movement animals than usual. In such systems the increases This again a small area. them to confining also restricted, often The solution in such of wild game. reduction in a resulting of predation chances many by taken (an option low of predator the numbers either keep is to cases or cheetah the wild of either part dog meta-population are that of the reserves for allow that fences permeable or creating in ) meta-population a over is shared of predator the effect this way of the species, movement free impact. overall its reducing properties and more area, much larger This is a common and justified concern of wildlife managers, especially of wildlife managers, concern and justified This is a common Do they devastate wild game populations and should their numbers be controlled? and should their numbers wild populations game devastate Do they In fact it is possible to pull a cheetah’s tail and the animal will still only try and run away (unlike the (unlike tail will and the animal still only try and run away it is possible pull a cheetah’s to In fact the spoor (tracks) will that follow still communities human are there Africa of parts In some leopard!). off them chase of wild a kill to find them on dogs to in order the carcass. from the meat and get dogs, domestic by away be frightened can Both species producing of in livestock advantage is taken that something dogs” to guarding “livestock as with dogs being used areas of single evidence anecdotal is some There herds. protect dogs but this has of domestic packs killed by being cheetah a great making simply by away be frightened also can Both species field studies. by be confirmed to the herder. by singing and whistling can as both species, deter bells can - cow of noise deal on wild dog major impacts have can especially) and rabies distemper (canine disease Infectious of the wild in the Serengeti-Mara the extinction dog population to contributed Rabies populations. Canine in Southern Africa. documented outbreaks been several have in 1991, and there ecosystem attempt a reintroduction and thwarted in Botswana death one whole-pack least at caused distemper within populations maintained are viruses distemper and canine Both rabies in South Africa. Tswalu at with wild be catastrophic. dogs it can dogs interact domestic if these dogs and of domestic but the areas, wild protected dogs living outside high for be particularly to likely are risks Disease as disease from under threat are they increasingly of wild that dogs means nature wide ranging in reserve In Niassa increase. dog populations domestic and consequently human populations, now and is potentially 5x in 10 years, increased dogs has of domestic the population , area. in this protected of the population the survival to a major threat has anthrax although in some areas cheetahs, to a smaller threat represents probability Disease extinction. of local a cause become may is reduced and if connectivity mortality substantial caused There has never been a report of a wild dog or cheetah threatening or killing a human, even a child. or killing even a human, threatening wild of a or cheetah dog report been a never has There around. the other way dogs, but rather domestic to diseases is not wild dogs spreading The problem 7. 8. 9. MODULE 1 6 would have little have would biking mountain lions and possible tourist’s context of effective management effective of context health and well being. This and well health Conservation Biology of cheetah and wild dog in the dog wild and cheetah of Biology Conservation an issue for everyone, and not just wildlife managers and not just everyone, an issue for They are part of the biodiversity of Africa. From a natural point of view they are part of this part are they of view point a natural From of Africa. of the biodiversity part are They of the importance recognises on Biodiversity The Convention biodiversity. continent’s human for and functioning ecosystems biodiversity maintaining makes the maintenance of biodiversity of biodiversity the maintenance makes of mission statements Many or conservationists. to include the need wildlife authorities government of all people. the benefit for biodiversity maintain and wild maintain dog help cheetah predation, Through all other predators in, along with live they the ecosystems to species of wild population game enable a diverse they health in good exist to populations these and for persist, animals the old and infirm remove predators generally as no is it perhaps of Africa parts In many the system. from lions and spotted having possible consider longer to of cheetah humans and so the presence to dangerous are they that given present hyeanas farms, game functional. On systems keeping to critical more even and wild dogs becomes the farms that species of the game populations healthy maintain help to can predators of without them the only removal survival, depend upon for part as their value to animals. In addition tourist valuable are They and wild dog cheetah of the continent, biodiversity of the overall of Areas industry. animals in the tourist valuable increasingly are likely more are present are species two these where the continent because without them. In addition, than areas tourists attract to humans, tourism to and without danger easily coexist can they otherwise that the continent of in areas available are opportunities Is a solution to conservation? to a solution breeding Is captive a luxury, or who have no understanding of the natural world and perhaps see wildlife as a nuisance, wildlife see as and perhaps world of the natural no understanding or who have a luxury, be to question important it is the most a living. However, make to their means with interfering answered. and wild dog so important? cheetah are So why 1. animals is that of high quality “trophies), an unnatural and biased removal and biased an unnatural of high quality “trophies), animals is that the quality of the game. and ultimately genetics, upset can that 2. riding, horse rides, camel such as activities popular tourist Many offer. to and with in areas conduct to dangerous and hiking, too are that the to adds and their presence and wild dog present, with cheetah areas experience. This is the most difficult for managers to answer as it is often asked by people who see wildlife by as asked it is often as answer to managers for difficult This is the most Are cheetah and wild cheetah dog important? Are ) rather than breeding them in captivity (ex them in captivity breeding than in the wild of species ) rather (in situ populations maintaining of means a as programme breeding only one captive endorses Group Specialist Cat situ). The IUCN is down that a felid , the Iberian is for that and conserving a species the wild. individuals in 400 that less to in the wild 9000 and there is close to of cheetah populations known in the wild. of wild remaining dogs about 1000 packs be to known are a means as breeding captive for yet is no requirement Hence, there breeding if captive that be argued it can In fact, extinction. of preventing these save to in our efforts failed will the solution we have become does species! two low have to appear in captivity bred cheetahs that The other issue is had have the wild, if they especially into when released rates survival release. prior to habituated become with humans and a lot of interaction out and carried been have cheetah bred of captive releases few that be stressed must it However, of time. long periods for monitored dogs that the wild with but only if bonded into released wild be successfully dogs can bred Captive wild populations. on existing still relies in the wild, the process and so caught been have animals for markets then create can it is that breeding captive about encouraging The other concern for loop holes police, creating to difficult become and such markets release, for unsuitable are that trade is a legal there as in the wild.illegally with cheetah This is a major concern animals captured smuggling illegal for allows trades this legal that mounting with evidence in captivity bred in cheetahs a major as included This was cheetah. which buy captive the countries wild the into from of cheetahs conservation in the wild survival regional Africa in the Southern cheetah to threat and increasing strategy. There is a significant shift in conservation understanding and policy in the last 10 years to focus on focus to 10 years the last policy in and understanding in conservation shift a significant is There 10. 11. Conservation Biology of cheetah and wild dog in the MODULE 1 context of effective management

3. They are part of the continent’s cultural history. This statement is self explanatory but is often forgotten when arguing for wildlife to remain against competing interests. Wild dogs and cheetahs occur in folk tales of many African tribes. Much of the rest of the world has lost their top predators and increasingly the presence of charismatic large predators will ensure that people from all over the world will continue to want to visit the continent, and provide assistance.

Notes:

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