@mattiasklumofficial

Love those ears! The endangered African Painted dog or Wild dog! One of my favorite top predators photographed in Selous, Tanzania. Among the best hunters in Africa, painted dogs have a higher kill rate than lions and can take down antelope that weigh as much as 225 kilos (500 pounds). This individual, together with his pack, just killed a young Kudu before I took this image. They are notorious for a grisly efficiency that has made some people fear and even hate them, if not shoot them on sight. This beautiful apex predator is important in its ecosystem and needs to be respected and protected! African painted dogs hunt in successful cooperative packs of 6 to 24 animals. Larger packs were more common before the dogs became endangered. #wilddog #doglovers #protectbiodiversity #ecosystemengineer #tanzania #predator #africa #selousgamereserve @natgeo @thephotosociety @irisalexandrov @alexandrovklumofficial