Gallery: Remembering African Wild Dogs

See the rare and endangered African wild dog as you’ve never seen it before, thanks to stunning images by top photographers

26 January 2022

Remembering African Wild Dogs is the sixth instalment of the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series. It aims to raise awareness of a much-misunderstood mammal through stunning images donated by leading photographers.

African wild dogs are one of the world’s most endangered mammals. Due to habitat loss, disease and persecution by humans, there are only about 6,600 of these beautiful canines left in the wild. So the book is raising awareness and funds to protect them.

Book sales have already supported the translocation of 14 African wild dogs from South Africa and Mozambique to Malawi as part of a wider project to restore wildlife populations there.

Our selection of images from the book is best viewed in landscape orientation on mobile devices.

Remembering African Wild Dogs by Wildlife Photographers United (£45) is out now from Remembering Wildlife.
Cover photo: Neil Aldridge

Gallery: African wild dogs

Three African wild dogs stare into the camera


Their scientific name, Lycaeon pictus, means ‘painted wolf’, but these canines are neither wolves nor dogs. (Photo: Dale Morris)
Two African wild dogs press their muzzles against each other
African wild dogs work as a team, constantly reaffirming social bonds through touch and vocalisations. (Photo: Pete Oxford)
African wild dogs gather at the edge of the Linyanti river in Botswana
African wild dogs are efficient swimmers but must watch out for crocodiles in the waters of the Linyanti River in Botswana. (Photo: Grant Atkinson)
An African wild dog paces through yellow flowers in South Africa
African wild dogs only have four toes, while dogs have five. This one is passing through a sea of devil thorn flowers at Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa. (Photo: Lance van de Vyver)
An African wild dog stand alert among long grass
Like satellite dishes, the dogs’ large, round ears provide excellent hearing for hunting prey – and help keep their owner cool. (Photo: Ben Cranke)
Three African wild dogs gather against a lush green backdrop
The alpha pair are the only individuals within a pack of African wild dogs that will reproduce. (Photo: Isak Pretorius)
A juvenile African wild dog chews at a meal



Pups old enough to eat solid food are given first priority at kills, eating before any of the adults. (Photo: Prelena Soma Owen)
A litter of wild dog infants walk together through long grass
An African wild dog litter typically consists of between four and 12 infants, and all the adults in the pack help to raise them. (Photo: Andrew Aveley)
A group od African wild dogs play among trees in South Africa
African wild dogs hunt in formidable, cooperative packs of up to 20 individuals. (Photo: M and C Denis-Huot)
African wild dogs shelter from the rain under a tree
African wild dogs shelter from a downpour in the Serengeti, Tanzania. (Photo: Pierluigi Rizzato)
Two African wild dogs play fight in the dust against an orange sunset
Two African wild dogs play fight with their tails in the air as the sun sets on Mana Pools, Zimbabwe. (Photo: Nick Rabjohn)
A wild dog catches its reflection in the water



African wild dog populations have declined due to loss of habitat as well as threats from farmers who fear for their livestock. (Photo: Matt Armstrong-Ford)

More to explore

A brown bear splashes through a river

Gallery: Richard Barrett’s Wild World

Join photographer Richard Barrett on a tour of the globe in search of some of its most legendary creatures in his new photo book

Close-up of the eye of an elephant, showing a reflection of an elephant that's been killed for its tusks

Elephants in the line of fire

Just like us, elephants feel complex emotions, including trauma, grief and loss. So we’re fighting to protect them from the horror of the illegal ivory trade. Find out how you’re helping us stamp out crime on the front line

A black rhinoceros stands on the grassy plain of Nairobi National Park

You helped Kenya go a year with zero rhino poaching

Thanks to you, not a single rhino was killed by poachers in Kenya during 2020 – the first time that’s happened in more than 20 years