MOVEMENTS, ACTIVITY, AND PREY RELATIONSHIPS OF AFRICAN WILD DOGS (LYCAON-PICTUS) NEAR AITONG, SOUTHWESTERN KENYA

A pack of 17-43 African wild dogs living in southwestern Kenya was located on 55 days during January 1988-June 1989 when it ranged over at least 650 km2. During mid-July to mid-August 1989 the pack was monitored daily and ranged over 250 km2, travelling an average of at least 10 km per day. Dogs killed most often just before or within 2 hours after sunrise and within 1 hour after sunset. After dogs started hunting they generally travelled 1-2 km in about 30 minutes before they killed. Thomson's gazelle were killed most often (67% of 60 kills), and their biomass (48% of total) was equal to the combined biomass of the next two most common prey, impala (24%) and wildebeest (25%). The importance of impala as prey probably reflected the relative abundance of bush and mixed habitat in the area. 74% of the 38 Thompson's gazelles killed by the dogs were adults. The dogs killed an average of at least three animals per day, regardless of size or composition of the pack, and the mean minimum consumption rate of edible meat was 1.7 kg prey/dog day or 0.07 kg prey/kg dog/day. In general, per capita food consumption by wild dogs is related to pack size, the presence of young pups and prey availability. No predation on domestic livestock by wild dogs was reported during interviews with local Masai herdsman at twenty manyattas within the pack's range. Spotted hyaenas were absent from 59% of wild dog hunts and kills and were usually chased and attacked by the dogs when present. Hyaenas scavenged, but did not appropriate, any wild dog kills and lions stole only one.