African wild dogs are one of the most endangered mammals on Earth; their complex pack social structure makes their conservation and welfare inseparable.
African wild dog packs function as cooperative social units where all members contribute to raising pups and caring for injured packmates. Pack fragmentation from snaring or road kills below viable size causes total pack collapse and death of surviving individuals who cannot hunt effectively alone. The welfare of individuals is inseparable from pack integrity. Conservation must protect entire functioning packs, not just individual animals.