Underdogs: The Fight to Save South Africa's Wild Dogs

Underdogs is the new book by award-winning wildlife photographer and author Neil Aldridge. With over 140 beautiful and candid wildlife photographs, the book celebrates what is special about the endangered African wild dog. BBC Wildlife Magazine reviewed Underdogs in February 2012 "This is a book with heart. Photojournalist Neil Aldridge's love of wild dogs shines through his beautiful images and passionate prose. Majoring on the species' fight to survive - as poignantly illustrated by alpha female Stellar and her pack - this timely book highlights current conservation efforts, and offers a glimmer of hope for the future." Acute senses, a lightweight body, unrivaled stamina and power in numbers may make the wild dog one of Africa's most efficient hunters but these remarkable characteristics saw the species fare badly with the arrival of big game hunters in Africa in the late 1800s. This charismatic carnivore has been an underdog in its fight to find its place in a developing continent ever since. Over three years, author Neil Aldridge worked closely with trackers and researchers to follow, photograph and understand the African wild dog. The result is a book that explores the ecology of a remarkable species and looks at what makes it one of Africa's most efficient carnivores. Underdogs also explores the reasons behind the decline of the wild dog and champions the efforts being made to secure a future for the species in South Africa and beyond. Many of the book's photographs have achieved acclaim in major international competitions and exhibitions but Underdogs is the first time all of these award-winning photographs can be seen in one place and brought into context by the author's considered writing. Underdogs is supported by a foreword by renowned animal behaviourist and long-term supporter of African wild dog conservation Professor Peter Neville.