The influence of pack social structure on oral rabies vaccination converge in captive African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus)

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

Volume

80

Issue

1

Publication Date

1-1-2003

First Page

61

Last Page

70

Abstract

This paper examines the application of oral immunization against rabies in African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus), a highly social species that are currently endangered. The influence of pack social structure on the consumption of baits was studied in an artificially created captive pack of seven adult wild dogs, which were all habituated to feeding. Observations on spatial relationships and aggressive behavior revealed a distinct split within the pack into two subgroups: dominants and subordinates. Dominant animals actively defended baits from subordinates, but this behavior appeared to decrease when the dogs were satiated, and there was no difference in mean bait consumption between the two subgroups when baits were scattered over a wide area. A pack vaccination coverage of 100% was achieved over 2 days, using the scattered method to deliver two chicken head bait/vaccine combinations per dog per day. Pack members ingested between 2 and 8 bait/vaccines over the 2 days. The behavioral responses of captive and free-ranging packs to oral immunization methods are discussed.

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