Photo by @mattiasklumofficial The endangered African Wild dog! Those ears! One of my favorite top predators photographed together with @monikaklum in Selous, Tanzania. Among the best hunters in Africa, wild dogs (or painted dogs) have a higher kill rate than lions and can take down antelope that weigh as much as 225 kilos (500 pounds). They are notorious for a grisly efficiency that has made some people fear and 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 wild dogs hunt in successful cooperative packs of 6 to 24 animals. Larger packs were more common before the dogs became endangered. (Please go to @mattiasklumofficial to see and read about when a Chinese cobra spit me in the face during a @natgeo assignment a situation that became unnecessarily dangerous). #wilddog #doglovers #mattiasklum #tanzania #predator #africa #painteddog #conservation #wwf #iucn @natgeo @thephotosociety @natgeocreative @mattiasklumcollection by natgeo http://bit.ly/1IwwjJN – Gatlinburg Garden Castle Rainbow Tower Library Imagination Station Temple Water Spirit Guardian Labyrinth Treasury Magic Healing