This is what is sounds like...when the dogs cry.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

You don't hear of them being a particular threat to humans in the wild in Africa.
Maybe they are and it doesn't get reported, or maybe they are just specialists in hunting certain types of game.
They certainly could kill humans with ease, if they were inclined to.
I read somewhere that they have an incredible bite, for an animal of that size.

High end bite force for a domestic dog, ~750 psi.
Grey wolf, ~1,500 psi.
A 20 foot long American alligator registered 3,000 psi.
The AWDs clock in at ~2,800 psi.

I've seen one of them snap a deer pelvis like it was a soda straw.

[charlou]

Tsago, Davo, Mugabi and Dinnaos were siblings, from the same litter. Last week Mugabi died, cancer. They're all nine years old, ancient for AWDs. Tsago and Davo had paired off a few months ago, and Mugabi and Dinnaos had been constant companions as well. Since Mugabi died Dinnaos has been "huffing". He putting his muzzle straight down and huffs repeatedly. The other two will immediately come and find him, but the one he's calling has not responded. As the AWDs rarely make a sound humans can hear this has been especially moving to witness. I fear for Dinnaos now, AWDs are very social and closely bonded, but he continuously leaves the other two and goes off by himself.

Moving to read, too.

hugs, zilla

[JimC]

Beautiful animals...

In an alternative world without hominids, who knows how they may have evolved?

[Schneibster]

This story stuck with me.

Thanks for sharing, 'zilla.

[mistermack]

You don't hear of them being a particular threat to humans in the wild in Africa.
Maybe they are and it doesn't get reported, or maybe they are just specialists in hunting certain types of game.
They certainly could kill humans with ease, if they were inclined to.
I read somewhere that they have an incredible bite, for an animal of that size.

High end bite force for a domestic dog, ~750 psi.
Grey wolf, ~1,500 psi.
A 20 foot long American alligator registered 3,000 psi.
The AWDs clock in at ~2,800 psi.

I've seen one of them snap a deer pelvis like it was a soda straw.

I dunno Zilla, I'd be a bit wary of some of those figures, especially a 20 foot alligator.

I don't think bite forces are usually psi, that would just be a reflection of how sharp a tooth was.
It's usually just pounds force.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

You don't hear of them being a particular threat to humans in the wild in Africa.
Maybe they are and it doesn't get reported, or maybe they are just specialists in hunting certain types of game.
They certainly could kill humans with ease, if they were inclined to.
I read somewhere that they have an incredible bite, for an animal of that size.

High end bite force for a domestic dog, ~750 psi.
Grey wolf, ~1,500 psi.
A 20 foot long American alligator registered 3,000 psi.
The AWDs clock in at ~2,800 psi.

I've seen one of them snap a deer pelvis like it was a soda straw.

I dunno Zilla, I'd be a bit wary of some of those figures, especially a 20 foot alligator.

I don't think bite forces are usually psi, that would just be a reflection of how sharp a tooth was.
It's usually just pounds force.

"psi" was my bad, you are correct on that part. I've seen Brady Barr do the testing on NatGeo, and at least one other video where they do the same tests independently.

[JimC]

You don't hear of them being a particular threat to humans in the wild in Africa.
Maybe they are and it doesn't get reported, or maybe they are just specialists in hunting certain types of game.
They certainly could kill humans with ease, if they were inclined to.
I read somewhere that they have an incredible bite, for an animal of that size.

High end bite force for a domestic dog, ~750 psi.
Grey wolf, ~1,500 psi.
A 20 foot long American alligator registered 3,000 psi.
The AWDs clock in at ~2,800 psi.

I've seen one of them snap a deer pelvis like it was a soda straw.

I dunno Zilla, I'd be a bit wary of some of those figures, especially a 20 foot alligator.

I don't think bite forces are usually psi, that would just be a reflection of how sharp a tooth was.
It's usually just pounds force.

As a side issue, it's interesting how easy it is to stop a crocodile's jaw opening. A couple of loops of ordinary twine, and the job's done...

Of course, evolution didn't need to make the muscles that open those fearsome jaws uneccessarily strong...

[Gawdzilla Sama]

The folks that remove nuisance alligators use electrical tape off the shelf. Four or five turns around the snout will do.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Magadi has a chance to continue helping people learn about African Wild Dogs. We have received permission to put him on display in the classroom at the Wolf Center. But (you knew this was coming, didn't you?) we need $3,000 to do the job right.

If you can spare a few bucks, please send money to:

Endangered Wolf Center
PO Box 760
Eureka, MO, 63025

or call 636-938-5900 to make a credit/debit transfer. Please note on checks and money orders that the funds are for Magadi.

/begging