Interview with Nia Roberts - Episode 2 Producer - Dogs In The Wild: Meet The Family

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Interview with Nia Roberts (Episode 2 Producer)

African Wild Dogs – Group decision-making through sneezing?

Of all the wild dog species in the world, the African wild dog is the most social. Living in large family groups and ranging over vast distances, keeping the family together can be a struggle, but these clever canids have a riotous and intriguing way of keeping the family bonded and working as a team. Firstly, they perform greeting ceremonies or pack rallies where each family member takes part in what can appear as high energy play-like behaviour. This is thought to be a way of the whole pack strengthening their bonds and getting in-sync before the pack moves off. But maintaining strong bonds is not enough. When pack sizes can be as large as forty individuals, the family needs to find a way of making decisions the whole family will follow. Research on African wild dog packs in Botswana has found an intriguing behaviour may be a way of every member of the pack playing their part in making collective decisions.

The researchers found that just before and during the social rallies some of the dogs would sneeze, and if enough of the dogs sneezed, then the pack’s social rally would be more likely to result in the pack moving off or beginning to hunt. There could be other explanations to this behaviour, such as the dogs preparing to hunt by clearing their noses to make smelling their prey and running easier, but the idea that each pack member, no matter their ranking, has a say in their family’s decision making, makes this behaviour tantalising.

About

Dogs In the Wild: Meet The Family is the first series to concentrate solely on the family of dogs in the wild that has been produced by BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit. Narrated by Chris Packham, this 3 x 60-minute series will feature astonishing cinematography, together with emotional and immersive storytelling around the remarkable members of one 37-strong family of wild dogs.

From the rugged peaks of the Himalayas to the blistering Sahara Desert, wild dogs thrive in the least likely of places. They are the most widespread carnivores on the planet. The latest scientific revelations provide fresh perspectives on characters who constantly surprise us with their diversity and their unusual behaviour. These are the world’s ultimate canids!

Dogs In the Wild: Meet The Family is a BBC Studios Natural History Production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning for Specialist Factual. The Executive Producer is Jo Shinner, the Series Producer is Rowan Crawford and the Commissioning Editor for BBC Natural History is Sreya Biswas.

Dogs In The Wild: Meet the Family will air on Wednesdays at 8pm from 28 December, BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Source BBC One

December 22, 2022 5:00am ET by BBC One  

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