Du Plessis, Cole, Ganswindt, Andre, Joone, Carolynne, Pageat, Patrick, Paris, Damien B.B.P., Paris, Monique, and Riddell, Pia (2022) Improving social cohesion and survival of translocated African wild dogs using appeasing pheromones – Could the solution be right under our nose? In: [Presented at African Wild Dogs United 2022]. From: African Wild Dogs United 2022, 14-18 February 2022, Virtual.

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Abstract

Metapopulation management using translocation and artificial pack formation of dispersing single-sex groups has been instrumental to the conservation of endangered African wild dogs. However, their complex social structure consisting of separate male and female hierarchies can lead to intra-pack stress and aggression during new pack formation. This can be exacerbated by additional stressors associated with the translocation itself such as immobilisation, handling and temporary confinement. Not only can this result in increased aggression, injury and occasional mortality, chronic stress could further disrupt the crucial process of social cohesion as well as suppress reproductive and immune function in newly forming packs. A well-bonded, immunologically robust pack will be better placed to face the myriad of competitors, pathogens and other threats they will encounter upon release. Appeasing pheromones are naturally occurring chemicals that can moderate behaviours and physiology in conspecifics, which are known to reduce stress and aggression in canids (Riddell et al. 2021 Animals 11: 1574). When applied to African wild dog packs during veterinary intervention and release, we showed that domestic dog appeasing pheromone (DAP) decreased faecal androgen metabolite concentrations and shifted behaviour from contact to non-contact dominance (Van den Berghe et al. 2019 PLoS ONE 14(3): e0212551). Our ongoing research will test whether African wild dog-specific appeasing pheromones (AWDAP) can minimize stress and aggression even more effectively in newly formed packs undergoing translocation in South Africa. Ultimately, we aim to measure improvements in social cohesion and immune function, which should confer survival benefits to the pack upon release into the wild.

Item ID:	84776
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
Date Deposited:	03 Mar 2025 23:44
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