• Donate
  • Black Tie & Tails Ball
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • About
  • For Kids
Carolina Tiger Rescue Logo
  • Home
  • Our Work
  • Tours
  • Learn
  • Animals
  • Just for Kids
  • Get Involved
  • Ways to Give

New Guinea Singing Dog

The New Guinea Singing Dog is also known as the Highland Wild Dog. It is one of the rarest canids in the world and for decades it was thought to be extinct in the wild. In 2016 an expedition led photographers to their native habitat and were able to document 15 individuals. The New Guinea Singing Dog gets its name from their unique, distinct howl. Genetic testing has proven they are close relatives to the Australian dingo but little else is known about them.

  • Meet the NGSD
  • Identification
  • History
Cantata New Guinea Singing Dog

Cantata New Guinea Singing Dog

Lifespan

New Guinea Singing Dogs can live up to 15 years in captivity. Their lifespan in the wild is unknown.

Shape & Size

New Guinea Singing Dogs have relatively short legs and a broad head. They typically, at the shoulder, measure 12-18 inches and can weigh between 20-30 pounds. They can rotate their front and hind paws more than a domestic dog.

Color Pattern

New Guinea Singing Dogs sport a tawny coat, often with a white stomach. They have triangular ears that stand straight up. Their feet tend to be lighter in color than the majority of their body.

Behavior

The majority of sightings of NGSDs in the wild has been a solitary animal or a pair. This leads scientists to believe they are not pack animals. They are very shy and extremely elusive. Their flexible legs, which can spread up to 90 degrees allows them to traverse more challenging terrain.

Habitat

The documented wild NGSDs were found in a remote, harsh environment at and elevation of 12800-13680 feet. They can live in harsh environments.

Principal Threats

New Guinea Singing Dogs are critically endangered and no one is sure just how many are left. Many of their threats come from humans who have hunted them in the past and killed them if they have taken the farmers chickens. It was once deemed 'unworthy' of scientific study because it was believed to be a variety of feral dog. Due to this being proven untrue, organizations are now attempting to study and protect them.

Range Map

Range

Little is known about their current or historic range. A few individuals have been documented on Papua as recent as 2016.

Food

New Guinea Singing Dogs eat small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Reproductive Habits

With so little information on this species, their reproductive habits in the wild are not known at this time.

Behavior

New Guinea Singing Dogs are often solitary, preferring to live on their own. In captivity the male will at times help raise the offspring.

Conservation

With such little information on the species, scientists are working to determine how many individuals are in the wild and what their genetic makeup is. There are also organizations that are breeding them through Species Survival Plans (SSPs) to help maintain a healthy population in captivity. 

Fun Facts

  • New Guinea Singing Dogs get their name from their unique 'yodel' sound.
  • New Guinea Singing Dogs are closely related to the Australian Dingo.
  • To locals they are often referred to as Highland Wild Dogs.
Get Tickets

Our tours have limited capacity and often sell out. Book your visit early – tours are the only way you can see the animals.

Donate
Get Tickets
Donate
Carolina Tiger Rescue

Contact

1940 Hanks Chapel Rd.
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-4684
(919) 542-4454
info@carolinatigerrescue.org

Carolina Tiger Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit wildlife sanctuary whose mission is saving and protecting wild cats in captivity and in the wild.

Follow

  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow

Accountability

2020 top rated awards badge logo
guidestar logo
 
Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance
 
EarthShare logo
2022 Carolina Tiger Rescue. All rights reserved.
BBB Accredited Charity
Privacy Policy

About Carolina Tiger Rescue

  • Accountability
  • Directions
  • Newsroom
  • Employment
  • Staff

Carolina Tiger Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit wildlife sanctuary whose mission is saving and protecting wild cats in captivity and in the wild.

Carolina Tiger Rescue

1940 Hanks Chapel Rd. Pittsboro, NC 27312 (919) 542-4684 (919) 542-4454 info@carolinatigerrescue.org

Wildlife should be in the Wild

Rescue

Education

  • We believe the ideal home for wildlife is in the wild.
  • We believe it is critical to conserve their native habitats.
  • We believe wild animals should not be kept as pets.
  • We believe captive breeding should ONLY be done in accordance with Species Survival plans.
  • We believe all wild animals, both captive and in their native habitats, deserve to be treated with respect and not exploited for entertainment and commercial purposes.
Learn More About Our Work

Visit Carolina Tiger Rescue

Tiger at Carolina Tiger Rescue

Public Tours

Twilight Tours

Coming out for a tour is a great way to learn more about the animals that call Carolina Tiger Recue home. We offer many different types of tours.  Public tours are great for adults and families. Twilight tours are for adults only (18 years of age and older). Tiger Tales are a perfect option if you want to bring out really young children. Find the tour that is right for you and enjoy a walk through the sanctuary.

For all tours, tickets must be purchased in advance.

Find all of Our Tour Options Here

Have Fun Learning at Carolina Tiger Rescue

Field Trips

Field Trips

Virtual Field Trips link

Virtual Field Trips

Education is key to our mission.  We enjoy teaching "kids" of all ages!  Our field trips, both virtual and onsite, are ideal for groups of kids.  Our "Kid for a Day" Adult Camp provides a unique learning opportunity while allowing adults to channel their inner child.  While all of these opportunities are structured differently, in the end we want everyone to walk away knowing more about the animals we care for and what they can do to help protect them.

See More of our Educational Opportunities
Bobcat at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
BOBCATS
Caracal at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
CARACALS
Coatimundi at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
COATIMUNDIS
Cougar at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
COUGARS
Kinkajou at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
KINKAJOUS
Lion at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
LIONS
NGSD at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
NGSD
Porcupine at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
Porcupines
Raccoon at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
Raccoons
Red Wolf at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
Red Wolves
Serval at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
SERVALS
Tiger at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
TIGERS

Our Rescues

In Memoriam

Animals
Games
Activities
Keeper Stripes

Get involved at Carolina Tiger Rescue

Individual volunteering at Carolina Tiger Rescue

Individual Volunteering

Group volunteering at Carolina Tiger Rescue

Group Volunteering

There are so many ways to be a part of Carolina  Tiger Rescue.  Individual volunteers are able to help in many aspects of our work, including animal care, tour guides, construction, and gift shop assistance.  Work groups come from community groups, colleges, work places, and more!  It’s a great way to spend a day and it helps care for the cats.

Find More Ways to Get Involved

[ Placeholder content for popup link ] WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin