In the subregion of the continent it used to be more widespread, but today is found only in the national parks and other game areas. Wild dogs are currently being reintroduced to several gameparks, and the progress of the operation is being monitored. Active in the late afternoon and early morning, the animal usually sleeps when the sun is hottest. Mostly you will encounter family packs, from 5 to 40 in number, each with a dominant male and female. As a carnivorous species, it eats meat, preferring fresh kills of large or small mammals.
Wild dogs kill only for food.
They may have a reputation for being cruel, but in fact they kill their prey as swiftly as most other predators. Prey is chased by the pack and smaller animals are pulled down. Larger prey may keep running while the dogs continue to bite and tear at it. In both cases prey dies very quickly, usually from shock or loss of blood. Wild dogs concentrate on 'easy' prey, mainly the young, sick and old.