July 2000

First of all it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the new web site for the Lowveld Wild Dog Project. I hope that you will find it both interesting and informative and trust that you will feel free to contact us with comments on how to further improve it or with any questions that you might have regarding the project. Below I have written a brief report on what is happening with the project at present. I will update this report on a regular basis so that people can follow the progress of the wild dog packs and our progress in trying to monitor them and to ensure their continued survival. 

Monitoring

Unfortunately due to the prevailing fuel shortages in Zimbabwe, the monitoring programme has been restricted to the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC). At present there are thought to be six packs resident within SVC with the total number of individual dogs estimated at 88. Four of these packs contain a radio collared individual and it is hoped that the remaining two packs can be collared by the end of the denning season. So far this season three packs are known to have denned down (Bote, Mavericks and Jakana) and the alpha female in the Dombo pack is known to be heavily pregnant. The alpha male from the Dombo pack looks very ill (mange, weak bark, lack of stamina when approached) and is no longer following the pack. In January this dog was released from a snare and apart from superficial 'scratches' he appeared in good condition. We will continue to monitor his and the packs progress. Should he die, it will be interesting to observe the packs reaction and note if a male from within the pack assumes the alpha role.

Applied Research

A study area has been established around the Bote Packs den site. The study area is divided into eight, pie- shaped study units. Each study unite has a central 7km transect line running from the outer perimeter of the study area to an inner perimeter situated one kilometer from the den site. The transects start at 1km away from the den so as to cause as little disturbance to the pack at the den site. Game counts are conducted, on foot, along the transect lines on a weekly basis and this will continue for the duration of the denning period. The transects will be continued for about three months after the wild dogs have left the den site. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect that a wild dog pack, when localised around a den site, has on the resident prey populations.

Education and awareness

This has involved talking to local farmers and ranchers on the SVC, the Chiredzi River Conservancy and the surrounding cattle ranching land. At least one pack of dogs is moving extensively over cattle ranching land and is reported to be killing livestock on a regular basis. It is a significant step in the right direction that these ranchers are approaching us to try and solve the problem. In the past, many would have tried to solve the problem themselves, more than likely by shooting the wild dogs. Due to the fuel shortages it has been difficult to go and see these farmers as regularly as is needed to properly assess the situation. Translocation of the pack has been requested by a number of ranchers but this will be attempted only as a final option. An option that has worked in the past is to track the wild dogs when on a cattle ranch and when they have been confirmed as killing livestock and to scare them away by firing shots from a shotgun over their heads. This may not sound like a pleasant way of doing things but it has worked in the past and certainly helps to chase them away from areas where they might otherwise get shot.

Last year specialised wild dog safaris proved to be a great success. A similar 'wild dog weekend' has been organised by Senuko Safari Lodge, SVC in July and I have offered to assist at this event. An adult male dog from the local Mavericks pack has recently been radio collared and it is hoped that this will greatly assist safari operators in following the pack.

An African wild dog calendar for 2001 has been created using paintings donated by a local artist. The calendar is at the printers now and should be available to buy soon. All profits will go towards the Lowveld Wild Dog Project. I will provide details of prices etc in the next update report.

Thank you for your interest in African wild dogs and in this project.

Patrick Aust