Abstract:
Assessment of abundance, distribution and conservation threats to African wild dogs
was conducted in Loliondo Game Controlled Area (LGCA), northern Tanzania.
Specifically, the study focused on determining population size and structure, spatial
distribution, attitudes of local people towards wild dogs and wild dog conservation
and threats impacting the species. Semi-structured interviews, diurnal random
searches, internal and external examinations of wild dogs carcasses examined and
night transect surveys were employed. Eight packs with a total of 132 recognised
individuals at an average pack size of 16.50 ± SD 7.50 individuals were recorded.
Pack sizes 3 individuals were reported to be sighted mostly and of all respondents (n
= 210), only 26% were able to recognise wild dog sexes. The density of both known
and unknown wild dogs was 0.19 animals/km 2 , higher compared to other carnivores.
In terms of distribution most of the packs were concentrated in the northern part as
compared to the central and southern parts of LGCA. The species was observed to
occur most in woodland type of vegetation. Interestingly, 55.30% of respondents
showed a positive attitude towards wild dogs and wild dog conservation despite that
52.90% of respondents dismissed lack of any conservation action or strategy in place
towards conserving the species. However, poisoning and Canine Distemper Virus
were identified as the main threats. Therefore, conserving African wild dogs in
LGCA requires mult-approach conservation efforts (i.e. awareness rising to
community, fitting radio telemetry to the dogs and threats management
interventions) due to nature of the species.
