Preserving large carnivores in ecosystem requires multifaceted approach

Social species, such as the African wild dog, require strict participation from group members to be successful. This strategy can enhance fitness benefits for the group, but also a higher critical threshold for extinction. Awareness of life history needs to guide management strategy. "Failure to consider the impacts of group dynamics may result in underestimation of critical threshold population sizes or densities required for population persistence," the researchers write.