
African Wild Dogs are known to be fierce and territorial animals, but they rarely attack humans.
In fact, attacks on humans are extremely rare, with only a few documented cases in the wild.
Despite their rare aggressive behavior, African Wild Dogs can be a threat to humans if they feel cornered or threatened.
They are highly social animals and live in packs, which can range from 2 to 100 individuals.
African Wild Dog Attacks on Humans
African wild dogs are known to attack humans, as seen in the tragic incident at the Pittsburgh Zoo where 11 dogs killed a 2-year-old boy.
The size of the pack can make a difference in the severity of the attack. A wild pack of that size would dismember prey in seconds and consume it in minutes.
In a worst-case scenario, the dogs may not leave the victim's body, as one of the dogs at the Pittsburgh Zoo refused to leave the boy's body and had to be shot.
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Pittsburgh Zoo Tragedy: Boy Attacked

A tragic incident occurred at the Pittsburgh Zoo when an 11-strong pack of African wild dogs killed a two-year-old boy who had fallen into their enclosure.
The boy's body was not left untouched, and one of the dogs was shot after it refused to leave the body.
African wild dogs are carnivores and would have behaved differently in the wild, says Kim McCreery of the African Wild Dog Conservancy.
In the wild, a pack of this size would have dismembered and consumed a child of that size within seconds and minutes, respectively.
The zoo has been closed until further notice, and the remaining dogs have been quarantined.
A different take: African Wild Dog Pack
Rare but Possible Attacks
African wild dogs are generally wary of humans and will avoid confrontations whenever possible.
In rare cases, they may attack if they feel threatened or if they're protecting their young.
These attacks are often defensive in nature, with the wild dogs trying to protect themselves or their pups from perceived threats.
According to records, most attacks on humans occur when wild dogs are habituated to human presence, often due to food availability.
In such cases, they may lose their natural fear of humans and become more aggressive.
Human Interaction with African Wild Dogs

African wild dogs are not a threat to humans, but it's still essential to exercise caution when interacting with them. They do not view humans as their prey.
In fact, they are typically curious rather than violent towards people. This curiosity can sometimes lead to unpredictable behavior, so it's crucial to keep a safe distance.
African wild dogs are not a danger to people, which is a relief for those who live or visit their habitats.
Sources
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2227757/Pittsburgh-zoo-death-Maddox-Derkosh-mauled-death-African-wild-dogs-mother-dangles-railings.html
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/121105-african-wild-dogs-pittsburgh-zoo-animals-science
- https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/9674/should-i-run-if-i-see-wild-dogs
- https://www.lakesideschool.org/alumni/alumni-lives/wildlife-biologist-has-dedicated-years-researching-endangered-wild-dogs-in-the-botswana-bush
- https://seeafricatoday.com/adventure/why-an-african-wild-dog-rarely-hurts-people/
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