We [McCreery and African Wild Dog Conservancy co-founder Bob Robbins] have studied their behavior for years. Wild dogs have a high investment in friendly and submissive behaviors. They dont bare their canines like other dogs. Rather, they do a lip curl, which is very hard to notice.
In a “worst nightmare” situation, 11 African wild, or painted, dogs killed a two-year-old Pennsylvania boy Sunday after he had fallen into an enclosure at the Pittsburgh Zoo, zoo officials confirmed at a press conference Monday.
Why did the carnivores attack the boy? We contacted African wild dog experts Rosie Woodroffe, senior research fellow at Londons Institute of Zoology, and Kim McCreery, of the African Wild Dog Conservancy in Tucson, Arizona, to get some insight into the animals behavior.
McCreery: They are classified as endangered by the IUCN [International Union for Conservation of Nature]. Habitat fragmentation and persecution [by people] are their two main threats. (Take an endangered-animal quiz.)
Rosie Woodroffe (via email): Of course, this is a sad and traumatic event, which must have been horrific for the childs family and for the witnesses. I have children of this sort of age myself and really feel for the familys loss.
Do Wild Dogs Attack Humans?
African wild dogs in the wild do not attack humans, even though they do come into contact with both adults and children in certain regions. In fact, there has never been any record of African wild dogs attacking humans in their habitat, and only one known case in captivity.
The tragedy happened in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 2012, when a two-year-old boy accidentally fell into the African wild dog enclosure in the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.
The 11 dogs began mauling the child, though it is unknown whether he died from the fall or was killed by the dogs.
In either case, experts do not believe the attack was food-related but rather an expression of normal predatory behavior (behavior that cannot normally be expressed in a captive environment, which often leads to frustration in captive animals). Horrifically sad though this case is, it is an isolated one.
While the dogs are interested in the livestock, they express no interest in the children (unlike many predators who see children as easy and vulnerable prey).
Wildlife researchers also report being able to get quite close to the dogs. The dogs initially approach with curiosity but flee before getting too close.
African wild dogs are, in fact, endangered, with fewer than 6,000 left in the wild. While they are occasionally killed by larger predators, such as lions, or diseases like rabies or canine distemper, the main threat to their survival is humans.
As people move further into wild dog territory, competition for food rises, and wild dogs are frequently shot or poisoned by farmers who fear for the safety of their livestock.
In short, we are far more dangerous to African wild dogs than they are to us.
What is the lifespan of a African wild dog?
African wild dogs live about 10 years in the wild and in captivity.
The First Ever Human Fatality From African Painted Dog Attack
The African wild dog has always been a misunderstood species. But now that they’re on the brink of extinction, people are starting to appreciate them for their role in our ecosystem. Here are seven facts about African wild dogs that might help you understand these beautiful animals better: