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etiennescamera

etiennescamera

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We visited the Okavango delta in late November, early December, with the specific purpose of searching for and photographing Painted Wolves, aka African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus). We were very lucky to be able to spend almost two full days with a pack of 28 of them, including 9 pups of around 6 months old, the survivors of an original 13 pups. Here are a few photos. For more, also have a look at my blog posts for Day 5 and Day 6 of our trip. I find these animals fascinating, especially the family and pack dynamics. Sadly, despite being some of the most successful hunters, they are in serious danger of extinction, mainly due to human encroachment on their habitat.

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MrFotoFool said:
Great photos and great sighting. I have heard them referred to as painted dogs, but never painted wolves. I am curious if that is a term they use in Botswana?
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Thank you 😊.

The name Painted Wolf is a more accurate translation of their scientific name, Lycaon pictus and there is an attempt to rebrand them as such in popular language, as part of the conservation efforts by, amongst others, the Painted Wolf Foundation, because of the negative connotations to the name "Wild Dog" in some regions. The name "Painted Wolf" was popularised in the popular BBC Earth Dynasties wildlife series. In Botswana they are still mostly called Wild Dogs, but there is a growing understanding of the need for their conservation and the Okavango delta is one of the regions where they are best protected.
 
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etiennescamera said:
Sadly, despite being some of the most successful hunters, they are in serious danger of extinction, mainly due to human encroachment on their habitat.
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Nice selection here @etiennescamera (y)


Sadly with numbers now down to approx 5500.
African wild dogs range vast distances and consequently susceptible to most of the same diseases as domestic dogs and contact with human settlements exposes them to infectious diseases such as canine distemper and parvovirus.
Have personally seen this with encounters in Ruaha NP-TZ, Sth Luangwa NP- Zambia and Laikipia- Kenya, losing whole packs over the last half dozen years.
They have long been my favourite predator, and there's nothing better than trying to keep up with them whilst hunting.
To me they will always be the African Wild Dog, despite the trendy movement to name them Painted Wolves.
 
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marc said:
Nice selection here @etiennescamera (y)


Sadly with numbers now down to approx 5500.
African wild dogs range vast distances and consequently susceptible to most of the same diseases as domestic dogs and contact with human settlements exposes them to infectious diseases such as canine distemper and parvovirus.
Have personally seen this with encounters in Ruaha NP-TZ, Sth Luangwa NP- Zambia and Laikipia- Kenya, losing whole packs over the last half dozen years.
They have long been my favourite predator, and there's nothing better than trying to keep up with them whilst hunting.
To me they will always be the African Wild Dog, despite the trendy movement to name them Painted Wol
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Thank you.

I fully understand your sentiment that they will always remain African Wild Dogs and to a certain extent feel the same, but also understand the conservation effort going into this and the fact that, as stated on the BBC website, they "have had their fair share of bad press and misunderstanding and some believe a fresh and fixed name might improve their chances of survival". Whichever way you look at it, it is sad that they are at risk of extinction and I feel strongly that all possible should be done to save them.
 
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etiennescamera said:
Thank you.

I fully understand your sentiment that they will always remain African Wild Dogs and to a certain extent feel the same, but also understand the conservation effort going into this and the fact that, as stated on the BBC website, they "have had their fair share of bad press and misunderstanding and some believe a fresh and fixed name might improve their chances of survival". Whichever way you look at it, it is sad that they are at risk of extinction and I feel strongly that all possible should be done to save them.
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I certainly hear you ,
and IF it meant changing their name to Painted Wolves would ensure their survival, I'm ALL for it. Sadly there can never be any guarantees on this.
Keeping fingers crossed their numbers can remain stable (at the very least) over the coming decades, and into future generations.
 
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