The African Painted Dogs which went extinct in Uganda in the 1980s were sighted a few days ago around the Narus River in Kidepo Valley National Park. The sighting of the African Painted Dogs (also known as the African Wild Dogs) has caused a lot excitement among tourism circles in Uganda.  One of the resident rangers captured a couple of images before the pair skipped out of view. 

The African Painted Dog is the largest canine in Africa. Just like their scientific name (Lycaon pictus), these animals have an irregular, mottled coat, which features patches of red, black, brown, white and yellow fur. Each animal has its own unique coat pattern. In addition, they have big rounded ears and have only four toes per foot 

Conservation Status: Endangered (Population decreasing). The African Wild dog is one of the world’s most endangered mammals. Listed on the IUCN red-list of endangered species. 

Social Behaviour Of African Painted Dogs: 

African Wild dogs are very social. They usually gather in packs of 10 individials but some packs have 40 or more individuals). They are also very playful, full of mischief and raw energy. 

The dogs are constantly on the move, rarely staying in one location for more than a day or two and need a lot of roaming space. The need for roaming space (which is insufficient due to fragmentation) has contributed to their critical status in the wild. Other threats include accidental and targetd killing by humans, viral diseases like rabies and competition with the large predators like lions. 

Diet: The African Painted Dogs are carnivores and hunt large prey like the Wildebeest, Zebra and Impala. Like other canids, the African Painted Dog regurgitates food for its young, but also extends this action to adults, as a central part of the pack’s social unit. The young have the privilege to feed first on carcasses.

Gestation Period: 60-80 Days. Only the dominant male and female breed. However the whole pack takes care of the young. 

It is estimated that there are around 6,600 adults living in 39 subpopulations. The largest populations remain in Southern Africa and the southern part of East africa especially Tanzania and Northern Mozambique. 

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