In sub-Saharan Africa, unchecked climate change is negatively affecting endangered wild African dogs.
According to The Conversation, a new study revealed that, as global temperatures rise, dog packs are giving birth to pups later in the year. Interestingly, the study, published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), shows that the delay coincides almost perfectly with temperature rise.
African Wild Dogs Are Sensitive to Climate Change
According to the article, African wild dogs are highly attuned to changes in temperature — a vital instinct necessary for their survival. Generally, dogs will wait until temperatures drop to begin having litters. This is because puppies are more likely to survive covering long distances to hunt when outdoor temps are cooler. Unfortunately, as the heat intensifies, this period of cooling shows up later in the year and doesn’t last as long.
In the study, researchers analyzed 30 years of data tracking 60 packs in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. While it’s amazing that the delay perfectly aligns with temperature rise, researchers worry this will have negative long-term effects.
Not only does heat affect the pups’ survival, but it also drops the life expectancy of adults. As pack animals, African wild dogs usually claim large territories spanning hundreds of square miles. Dwindling populations will make survival even more difficult for these dogs — who now only occupy about 7 percent of their historical range.
A Grim Future for Predators Both in Africa and Globally
Unfortunately, the issue is only compounding the African wild dog’s dire circumstances. As predators, the dogs are an unwelcome sight to farmers and livestock. On top of that, disease transmitted by domestic dogs has already reduced their populations.
The study’s authors worry that without more research, we may be ignoring the effects of climate change on predators in other ecosystems. Since predators play a central role in managing ecosystems, anything that affects their survival will surely have huge implications for other species.
