THE
VENETIA LIMPOPO WILD DOG PROJECT
© EWT www.ewt.org.za
Project
Objectives
The Venetia
Wild Dog Project aims to establish a satelite population of wild
dogs on De Beers Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve in the Northern
Province. The project will not only help to increase the number
of free-ranging wild dogs in South Africa, but will also provide
the basis of a three-year monitoring programme in which hunting
records, movement patterns, and other ecological factors will
be examined in order to better understand the dynamics of the
released pack.
In addition
to biological and ecological factors, socio-economic issues relating
to the costs and benefits of wild dogs will be investigated. Results
will form the backbone of a public awareness programme to improve
tolerance of wild dogs among private landowners in the area.
Background
The Venetia
wild dog pack started out as 10 wild dogs that were moved to a
boma on the reserve in mid-2000. These comprised two wild-caught
males, three captive-bred females, and five two-year olds that
were dug out of a den and taken into captivity when they were
just a few weeks old. While in the boma, one of the adult females
died due to suspected snakebite, bringing the number down to 9
adults. However, shortly afterwards her sister produced a litter
of seven pups and the pack went up to a total of 16 animals. By
January 2002, the puppies were deemed old enough and the pack
was released into the reserve proper.
Prior to the
release, five of the adults were fitted with radio-collars to
assist researchers in finding the pack on a daily basis. This
frequent tracking is important for two reasons: firstly to ensure
that the pack has not escaped onto neighbouring farms where the
wild dogs are likely to be shot by landowners, and secondly, to
keep track of the pack and how they are surviving.
Since the
release, the alpha female has produced two litters of wild-born
pups and remarkably, 88% of these pups survived to 12 months.
Several adults have died and dispersed, and prior to the 2004
denning season, the population stood at 20 individuals.
Realising
the Economic Potential of the African Wild Dog
Perhaps the
most important component of the project is the development of
wild dog-based ecotourism – through research trips and den-site
visits – in an attempt to ascertain potential economic benefits
of wild dogs in the area. Economic activities in the Limpopo Valley
centre around safari hunting and live game sales – activities
which many landowners feel are incompatible with the presence
of large carnivores. As a result wild dogs are held in very low
regard by local farmers, who have systematically eradicated them
in the past. It is hoped that the demonstration of a way to make
a sustainable income from wild dogs will reduce some of this conflict.
If you would
like more information on exclusive wild dog tracking trips offered
at Venetia, please contact the reserve office on +27-15-534-2986
or at venetia.reserve@debeersgroup.com.
Project
Sponsors and Supporters
The Venetia
Limpopo Wild Dog Project is an initiative of the Endangered Wildlife
Trust's Carnivore Conservation Group and Oxford University's Wildlife
Conservation Research Unit. We are grateful for the support and
sponsorship of Land Rover South Africa and De Beers Consolidated
Mines Limited.
Wild
Dog Research Project
Endandgered Wildlife Trust
Tel: +27 11 486 1102
Fax: +27 11 486 1506
Email: patfletcherccg@ewt.org.za
   
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