Retrospective study of morbidity and mortality of captive African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) held within United Kingdom Zoological Institutions between 2000 and 2020
The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and is part of captive breeding programs designed to support free-living populations and genetic diversity. This study’s aim was to identify common causes of morbidity and mortality objectively in United Kingdom captive African wild dogs to inform […]
Enclosure Use as a Measure of Behavioral Welfare in Zoo-Housed African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus)
African wild dogs Lycaon pictus are a popularly exhibited zoo animal, frequently housed in groups to represent their natural packs in the wild. While such group housing is common, the effects of changes to that group are seldom directly investigated. This study examined the enclosure use of three African wild dog siblings located at the […]
Eavesdropping and Risk Assessment Between Lions, Spotted Hyenas and African Wild Dogs
Vocalizing allows rapid transmission of detailed information beyond line of sight. However, the risk of eavesdropping by unintended receivers means there is also a potential cost to any vocalization. For fugitive species such as African wild dogs the potential cost of attracting dangerous competitors as eavesdroppers is especially significant. Experiments presented here demonstrate that eavesdropping […]
The Effects of Husbandry Training on Stereotypic Pacing in Captive African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus)
To examine the effects of operant conditioning on stereotypic pacing in 3 female African wild dogs located at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, this study made recordings of pacing behavior immediately following individual sessions of husbandry training and 2 no-training conditions. The study found significant differences in the percentage of observations spent in stereotypic […]