A recent undercover documentary by a Dutch reporter showed a booming trade, sometimes illegal, sometimes gray but always ethically objectionable, in African wildlife. Mammals ranging from black rhinos to cheetahs to monkeys are being sold for good money on the international market. What is troublesome is that some of those animals sold to zoo's are captured in the wild, going against the reason modern zoo's exist in the first place, not to mention the guidelines set forth by international zoo organizations such as EAZA. The wild dogs are amongst the most endangered species traded and what is even more perplexing is the fact that they're not even protected by international law.
Lycaon Pictus.
The underdog among the larger African predators is also one of its lesser known apex species. Since they have not been featured in most popular movies and documentaries as prominently as some of the other mammals from the continent, their existence has gone largely unnoticed by the public. Whatever the reason for this neglect may be, it is time to shed some light on this fascinating hunter and social animal. Because it is even less known to many of us the African wild dog is in trouble and the small group of people who are trying to save it from extinction need a helping hand.
The wild dog (or Lycoan pictus to those "in the know") is an incredibly social pack hunter easily identified in the first instance by its unmistakable dog-like appearance and the random patterns of their coats, which is unique to each individual. If encountered for the first time by travellers to the continent it is usually the significant size of the dog's ears that is most often commented on. Indeed, compared to the rest of their body their ears are about the size of small dinner plates.
What is especially intriguing about them however is the order and stability within these packs (which can range from 2 to 20 individuals). Sights such as offspring being killed by adults as sometimes occurs in spotted hyena packs or only leftovers being given to the cubs as in the case of lions will not be witnessed with the wild dog. Their cubs are fed first after a kill has been made and constantly protected by their mother, usually the alpha female of the pack. The cubs are also serviced by a rotating schedule of babysitters - other adult dogs - with loving care and completely free of charge, which you would be hard pressed to accomplish with humans.
The final point which sets these canines apart from those other "uncivilized" predators is the fact that when a pack becomes too large a split will occur where a pair or small group will leave to form a new pack. This does not coincide with any kind of violence or name-calling, or even a discussion on territory. No. The new pack simply wanders off, giving their old family enough space but not making any formal territorial boundaries, and go on to do what they do best: hunting and looking after the kids.
"They're Nothing, Wild Dogs Are Nothing."
For the sake of enterprise attempts have been made, in South Africa that I know of, to tame a wild dog. Much to the surprise of several limping individuals, unlike other big predators such as lions and cheetahs, wild dogs have never shown the slightest inclination to roll over and play dead. Good for them I say. Unfortunately this has not stopped the global trade in these endangered animals.
The wild dog does not appear on the critical list of endangered species, the CITES Appendices (there are three). This has been a little publicised fact in the media or with conservation groups, until now anyway. Some smart entrepreneurs in South Africa know about this omission however and are being sold to zoo's all over the world, sometimes into very poor conditions (China). The reason why they are not on the CITES Appendices are unclear, but has supposedly something to do with their trade not being seen as seriously threatening to their survival, despite their low numbers.
Because of their need for a large habitat, their inability to become domesticated and their unpopularity with farmers and other rural peoples, the wild dog is really only "useful" as a commodity on the wildlife market. And due to their unprotected status they're also a popular item on the black market. According to the Dutch documentary, a wild dog catches about $1,500 on the market. As their unprotected status is discussed with animal trader Mike Bester he confirms to the reporter that "they're not even CITES three, they're nothing".
And Now For My Final Trick.
Independent traders like Mike Bester or private trusts such as the famous De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust are not allowed to sell their animals to zoo's which are members of the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (most zoo's are). Luckily those clever people have thought of a solution to get around this problem. Here's how they sell their dogs to your local safari park or zoo:
- Mike Bester is not only an independent trader but has registered the land where he keeps his stock as a "zoo".
- This zoo status allows him to trade with other zoo's around the world.
- He has also eaten his way up to the Executive Committee of the African Association of Zoos & Aquaria, making it very easy to obtain the required paperwork.
- Additionally he is also "working" at De Wildt in their marketing department.
(Wait for it, here comes the really smart bit.)
- De Wildt claim on the documentary that they give away their wild dogs, which is not an exact lie and is the only way they can get rid of their wild dogs because they're a trust.
- The dogs are of course given to Mike Bester.
- Mike then sells them on to zoo's around the world (China, Europe, the States, South America).
- The profit from the sale are likely transferred to De Wildt, but Mike also gets a commission in the form of a salary - he does work at the De Wildt after all.
Now that is clever. Let me say, as a sort of disclaimer I guess, that De Wildt obviously does have a place when it comes to the protection of cheetahs and their past in nature conservation cannot be denied. However their practise of taming animals, especially cheetahs, for purposes of attracting tourists and funds, is not in the true spirit of conservation or wildlife management. Frankly, it's embarassing. Feel free to disagree with me of course, it is my own opinion after all.
The Last Stand of the Painted Dog.
Despite his unprotected status the wild dog does not stand alone. Several organizations have as 
their purpose the protection of the wild dog and their re-release into the wild. Somewhat surprisingly one of the most successful is located in Zimbabwe and the grim situation there notwithstanding continues business as usual. This is the Painted Dog Conservation. Their work includes environmental education lessons to inform the locals about the importance of protecting the wild dog, who many still regard as a pest. They're ideally located in Zim actually since it is the only country where the wild dog population has risen lately.
Current range of the African wild dog
Help is also arriving from a perhaps unexpected corner of the world. The European Parliament is in the process of passing a motion to have the African wild dog placed on the CITES Appendices (problably II). This motion should pass and hopefully the CITES board will take notice.
In the meantime have a look at the documentary here: TweeVandaag.
Since the neutrality of this article was lost somewhere in the first or second sentence, I feel compelled to ask you that should you want to send a carefully worded e-mail to certain trusts or individuals, they can be reached here:
- Vanessa Bouwer, Deputy Director at De Wildt: cheetah@dewildt.org.za
- Mike Bester, Bester Birds & Animals: zoo@besterbirdsanimals.co.za
- Manus Pretorius, Mafunyane Import & Export: info@mafunyane.com
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