Evidence for resident African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) populations in Luengue‐Luiana National Park, Angola

Abstract

This study aims to fill the knowledge gap and provide evidence of resident African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) populations in the northeast of Luengue‐Luiana National Park (LLNP) in Angola. Camera traps and direct observations were used to collect data between 2021 and 2023. The results confirm the presence of multiple distinct groups of resident wild dogs within LLNP, with 26–28 individuals identified in each survey year; including captures of females, individuals at different age classes and the same individuals across multiple surveys. The findings support the revision of the IUCN/SSC distribution range of wild dogs in southeastern Angola. It also highlights the lower wild dog numbers in the southeast of LLNP, potentially limiting dispersal to neighbouring countries.

Evaluating patterns and drivers of mammal space use and richness in the Angolan savannah woodlands of the Kavango‐Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area

“…All five of these species may prefer Ndunjuru due to the absence of lions (Creel & Creel, 1996; Kruuk, 1972; Woodroffe et al., 1997). As an important stronghold for particularly African wild dogs (Nieman, 2023c), their reaction to future lion population increases in LLNP will have to be closely monitored. Leopard and wild dog were also more likely to be detected in areas with a high abundance of sympatric predators.…”