研究顯示，非洲野犬為尋找配偶跋涉數千公里

路沙卡，9月15日（路透社）——最新研究顯示，非洲野犬為了尋找配偶，能橫跨非洲大陸行進超過4000公里（2500英里）；這意味著這種瀕危物種的現存族群，彼此連結程度可能高於過去認知。LUSAKA, Sept 15 (Reuters) - African wild dogs can travel more than 4,000 km (2,500 miles) across the continent to find mates, according to new research that suggests the endangered species' surviving populations are more interconnected than previously thought.

研究發現，3隻兄弟在8個月內行進4126公里，這是目前記錄到任何非洲哺乳動物最長的離群擴散距離。Three brothers covered 4,126 kilometres over eight months, the longest recorded dispersal for any African mammal, the study found.

這項發表於《Ecology》期刊的研究，追蹤多群野犬在尚比亞境內穿越數千公里以人類活動為主的地景，並進入或接近5個鄰國。The study, published in the journal Ecology, tracked groups of wild dogs moving across thousands of kilometres of human-dominated landscapes in Zambia and into, or close to, five neighbouring countries.

4組各自離群擴散的野犬合計行進9863公里，超過美國東西寬度的兩倍。Four separate dispersing groups travelled a combined 9,863 km, more than twice the width of the United States.

研究主要作者、蒙大拿州立大學教授史考特・克里爾（Scott Creel）表示：「我自1991年起研究野犬，從未想過到了2026年，我們會得出結論：東非與南部非洲多數關鍵野犬族群很可能仍然相互連通。」"I have studied wild dogs since 1991 and would not have imagined that in 2026 we would conclude that most of the critical wild dog populations in Eastern and Southern Africa probably remain connected," said Scott Creel, lead author and professor at Montana State University.

野犬生活在階序嚴格的犬群中，通常每群只有居於支配地位的一對會繁殖。從屬個體，特別是2歲與3歲的野犬，必須離群擴散以尋找配偶並建立新領域。Wild dogs live in strict hierarchical packs where typically only the dominant couple breeds within the pack. Subordinates, particularly two- and three-year-olds, must disperse to find mates and establish new territories.

研究指出：「從屬個體不是等待成為支配個體、藉由協助親屬而獲得廣義適應度，就是離群擴散，尋找更立即的繁殖機會。」"Subordinates either wait to become dominant and gain inclusive fitness by helping relatives, or disperse in search of more immediate breeding opportunities," the study said.

這些旅程有時會付出代價。許多離群擴散的野犬死於叢林肉狩獵所設下的金屬套索。一隻編號EWD-1355的雌性野犬，從尚比亞一路行進2300公里進入莫三比克，最後於2022年6月死於套索。The journeys sometimes come at a cost. Many dispersing wild dogs died in wire snares set for bushmeat hunting. One female, EWD-1355, journeyed 2,300 kilometres from Zambia into Mozambique before dying in a snare in June 2022.

尚比亞食肉動物計畫利用GPS項圈追蹤這些野犬，牠們一再穿越河流與主要道路，攀上並下行東非大裂谷陡崖，也繞行城市與湖泊。The Zambian Carnivore Programme tracked the dogs using GPS collars as they repeatedly crossed rivers and major roads, climbed and descended the Great Rift Valley escarpment, and skirted cities and lakes.

尚比亞食肉動物計畫執行長麥特・貝克（Matt Becker）在聲明中表示：「這些野犬正在向我們顯示，連通性仍然有效；現在我們需要做更多事來保護並強化它。」"The dogs are showing us that connectivity still works; now we need to do more to protect and strengthen it," said Matt Becker, CEO of the Zambian Carnivore Programme, in a statement.

尚比亞人口自2010年以來約增加50%，使野生動物棲地破碎化。儘管全國近40%土地具有保育指定地位，經費仍然嚴重受限。Zambia's human population has grown approximately 50% since 2010, fragmenting wildlife habitats. Though nearly 40% of the country has conservation designation, funding remains severely restricted.

非洲野犬被列為瀕危物種，目前約有6600隻成年個體，分布於39個不同族群；牠們面臨棲地破碎化、獵物減少、套索、疾病及人類衝突等威脅。African wild dogs, listed as endangered with around 6,600 adults remaining in 39 distinct populations, face threats from habitat fragmentation, declining prey, snares, disease, and human conflict.

這項研究指出，保護遷徙廊道可能會改變整個非洲大陸的野犬保育工作。The research suggests protecting migration corridors could transform wild dog conservation across the continent.

（Bate Felix撰稿；Ros Russell編輯）(Writing by Bate FelixEditing by Ros Russell)