African wild dogs

The African wild dog is the only species in its genus and is only distantly related to the domestic dog.

These animals prefer a woodland habitat and their home range can be hundreds of square kilometres in extent.

African wild dogs are highly social and co-operative carnivores. The average size of a pack is about 10, but this can reach 30 dogs or more.

Before a hunt, a ceremonial greeting takes place in which the dogs sniff, muzzle-lick, chirp and chatter to each other. A lesser member of the pack leads a hunt; once the prey is determined by the pack the prey is captured and killed by the hunt leader.

Pack members help feed the dominant pair’s pups and also regurgitate meat to feed the members who stay and look after the pups while the others are hunting. Young dogs eat first at a kill.

Earth-Touch has filmed these animals in South Africa’s Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve and in the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana, where they were observed in a playful encounter with African buffalo.

The IUCN says these dogs have disappeared from much of their former range and most are now found on low densities in Southern Africa and the southern part of East Africa. It was estimated in 1997 that 3 000-5 000 remained in the wild in Africa.

(Source: McNutt, J.W., Mills, M.G.L., McCreery, K., Rasmussen, G., Robbins, R. & Woodroffe, R. 2004. Lycaon pictus. In: IUCN 2007. 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. . Downloaded on 29 September 2008.)

See also: Arkive, IUCN Canid Specialist Group and African Wild Dog Conservancy

African skimmer

The IUCN says that BirdLife International estimates the numbers of these birds at 15 000-25 000 in sub-Saharan Africa. They are categorised as near threatened.

They breed on sandbars next to rivers or lakes and this habitat has been threatened in places by dam-building and farming.

Their name comes from the fact that they feed on fish by flying over the water with their lower mandible in the water.

Earth-Touch filmed a breeding season in the Nxamaseri Channel of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. First, the pairs established their territorial boundaries, then they laid their eggs in scrapes in the sand. We saw the first egg hatch and watched as some of the chicks were lost to predators and mishaps while others grew and flourished.

(Source: BirdLife International 2006. Rynchops flavirostris. In: IUCN 2007. 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. . Downloaded on 29 September 2008.)

See also: BirdLife International

Loggerhead turtle

From October to February, loggerhead turtles come to breed on the southern coast of Mozambique and the northern coast of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The females return to the same beaches where they hatched to lay their eggs, which may number as many as 100. Mating takes place in the water, close to shore. Only two in every thousand hatchlings live to maturity as they are prey for birds and sharks. Scientists do not know much about the turtles’ lives when they are out at sea.

Earth-Touch has filmed them laying their eggs on the beach, as well as swimming, feeding and resting underwater.

The IUCN categorises loggerhead turtles as endangered. They are caught intentionally or accidentally, and their habitats are destroyed or polluted.

(Source: Marine Turtle Specialist Group 1996. Caretta caretta. In: IUCN 2007. 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. . Downloaded on 29 September 2008.)

See also: Marine Turtle Specialist Group.

Wattled crane

The wattled crane is listed as vulnerable and the estimated world population (all in Africa) is under 8 000, according to the IUCN. This population is declining.

The omnivorous birds are found in tropical and subtropical grasslands, as well as inland wetlands. They feed mainly on aquatic vegetation, although in dryer areas they will eat grains, seeds and insects.

Earth-Touch filmed pairs of wattled cranes in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, always moving in symmetry as they forage on the floodplain.

(Source: BirdLife International 2006. Grus carunculatus. In: IUCN 2007. 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. . Downloaded on 29 September 2008.)

Black rhinoceros

Black rhinos, of which there are four or five subspecies, number only around 3 600, mostly because they have been poached for their horns. Trade in any rhino product is now banned. The World Conservation Union lists black rhinos as critically endangered and there are various initiatives to protect the species and encourage population growth.

The black rhino has a hook-shaped, prehensile upper lip used for plucking stems and leaves as it browses on trees and shrubs. It can run at a speed of 55km/h (34mph).

Earth-Touch has filmed this animal only once, in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve in South Africa, when it charged the crew.

(Source: African Rhino Specialist Group 2003. Diceros bicornis. In: IUCN 2007. 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. . Downloaded on 29 September 2008.)

See also: Save the Rhino and International Rhino Foundation.

The ICUN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, publishes a Red List of threatened species in scientifically determined categories such as Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable.