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Looming Extinction Of African Wild Dogs
The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) is one of Africa’s most
endangered carnivores. Red Listed by the World Conservation
Union (IUCN)
as an endangered species,
with
only 2500 to 5000 animals remaining in Africa. There are
fewer wild dogs left than black rhinos.
Throughout its range the wild dog has suffered due to habitat loss
and persecution by humans. In many areas it still has an
ill-deserved reputation as a ruthless killer – wild dogs hunt only
to eat, and their killing methods are generally quicker than those
of the lion. They are in fact an incredibly social and
non-aggressive animal, with all the pack helping to raise pups and
care for any sick or injured member.
From the thirty-four
sub-Saharan countries in which they used to exist, only a
handful of
countries are now thought to hold potentially viable populations.
Importantly, Zambia contains several reserves large enough to
sustain viable wild dog populations. The
African wild dog is legally protected in Zambia, but
it is still
persecuted outside of protected areas.
African Wild Dog Conservation (AWDC) is a non-profit society
established in 1999 by conservation biologist Kellie Leigh (Project
Director) to conserve the African wild dog population in Zambia.
Previously AWDC focused its conservation efforts in the Lower
Zambezi National Park and produced
a comprehensive threat assessment and management
plan to
help ensure the survival of
wild dogs
in the region. In addition to ecological research, AWDC carried out
education
and community awareness programmes,
as well as active conservation activities such as
snare removals,
which resulted in reduced wild dog mortality.
 As
part of her PhD work,
Leigh
discovered that the population in the
Lower Zambezi National Park (LZNP) declined dramatically over
the last six years to just one remaining pack. This was largely due
to the lack of new dogs arriving in the area to replace dogs that
moved away; young wild dogs naturally move over large distances to
look for mates to form new packs. Human-caused mortality,
specifically illegal snaring also had a big impact on wild dog death
rates. Without active conservation it is clear that the wild dog
population in Lower Zambezi is heading towards local extinction.
AWDC has now taken the opportunity to use this information to
initiate a new second stage project. This project is aimed at
conserving a large wild dog population in eastern Zambia and the
project study area has expanded from the Lower Zambezi, through
connecting GMAs into the South Luangwa National Park (SLNP). Wild
dogs in this area will be managed as a ‘metapopulation’, which means
the populations in both National Parks will be combined into a
single management unit. Larger wild dog populations have a greater
ability to recover from threats, so managing the two populations
together and increasing the movement of dogs between the two Parks
will help secure the future of wild dogs in eastern Zambia.
The
project’s long-term plan is to
develop
a protected area wildlife corridor
between the National
Parks,
by increasing education and conservation activities in the existing
GMAs.
This strategy uses the
wild dog as a flagship species
for
the management
of a
protected area network, which would
in turn benefit many other species, particularly the large
mammals which move through big areas.
If it turns out that there is a large number of dogs in South
Luangwa, then it is hoped that these dogs will use the corridor and
boost the currently
depleted Lower Zambezi population.
The
project includes more
research
to provide a sound basis for management as well as
education and community work to reduce direct and indirect
persecution of wild dogs both inside and outside protected areas.
Working in collaboration with WWF-Zambia, Chipembele Wildlife
Education Trust and Conservation Lower Zambezi’s Environmental
Education Centre, AWDC will be conducting community and school group
education activities to
raise awareness of wild dog conservation issues and increase
community involvement. AWDC is also working closely with ZAWA
Ecologists and Zambian counterparts to develop Zambia’s capacity for
long-term wild dog conservation.
Now based in Nkwali Lodge (SLNP), courtesy of Robin Pope Safaris,
Leigh has been joined by Project Ecologist Emma Stone who is
commencing her Doctorate, and the two of them are currently
kicking-off the Eastern Zambia Wild Dog Conservation Project. So
keep your eyes on the press and the AWDC website for regular project
updates.
The
AWDC project is only possible with the support of many organisations
both national and international. WWF-Netherlands has provided the
baseline funding for the eastern Zambia project however, the
remaining project costs are as yet no funded. If you are keen to
support wild dogs in Zambia there are many ways you can help. AWDC
runs a number of local initiatives such as an adoption programme
where for a minimal fee you can adopt a wild dog and help support
this crucial project. If you think you can help, or give a donation
however small, don’t hesitate to contact AWDC on info@awdczambia.org
or visit the website at
www.awdczambia.org for
more information.
As this issue was being put to bed, we received a message to say
that Shoprite had come on board as part sponsors of this programme.
Thank you, Shoprite. Ed. |
January
2006