African Wild Dog Conservation in the Lower Zambezi
AWDC carried out a comprehensive threat assessment of the Lower Zambezi National Park (LZNP) wild dog population, which included assessment of population numbers and dynamics, human-caused threats, genetic diversity and epidemiology. Research showed that limited dispersal success (reduced gene flow), small population dynamics and human-caused mortality (specifically snaring), led to a population decline. AWDC also conducted education and community awareness programmes in the LZNP to reduce direct persecution of the species, as well as active conservation activities including snare removals which reduced wild dog mortality. |
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Fitting a radio collar to a wild
dog |
African Wild Dog Conservation in
Eastern Zambia
The current project is designed to implement management strategies
developed from the previous research and to conserve a large population
of African wild dogs in eastern Zambia. This will be achieved
through continued research and improving the connectivity between
the Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa National Parks, to form a
'metapopulation' of wild dogs. AWDC will work with the following
key goals:
i) Conservation
The wild dog will be used as a flagship species for the formation of a protected area network between the two National Parks, which will benefit many other species. Management of the wildlife corridor will increase natural wild dog dispersal and re-colonisation of the linked populations, from the South Luangwa National Park through to the Lower Zambezi National Park. Conservation activities will include the monitoring and removal of snares as well as working with local stakeholders to reduce other threats.
ii) Applied Research
To date, no studies have been conducted on the large population of wild dogs in South Luangwa National Park (SLNP), which is thought to be one of the more significant populations remaining in Africa. AWDC is expanding research and conservation activities into this area to investigate the population’s status, trace wild dog dispersal patterns, and provide further sound scientific support for management of the population and the wildlife corridor. Threat assessments will include ecology, genetic and disease studies, as well as investigation into human-caused wild dog mortality.
Research activities include:
Tracking wild dogs via satellite and VHF telemetry
Surveys of lion and spotted hyaena populations
Prey diversity and density surveys
Vegetation mapping
Spatial analysis of habitat utilisation for wild dogs and related species
iii) Capacity building and Education
AWDC is building local capacity for wild dog conservation and raising awareness of conservation issues, in order to reduce direct persecution and promote the values and benefits of eco-tourism. Zambian counterparts and ZAWA ecologists are being trained and resources donated to enable them to continue long-term wild dog and protected area monitoring and management. Education programs and community support are fundamental to the long term viability of the wild dog population beyond project completion.
Giving an educational lecture
to school children
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Using radio-telemetry
to track wild dogs |
The current work in eastern Zambia is being carried out in partnership with several local conservation organisations. In addition to the partnership with the Zambia Wildlife Authority, the WWF-Zambia Coordination Office is assisting with development of the community education and outreach program, and with administration. Education work is being further developed and implemented with the assistance of the Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust in South Luangwa National Park, and Conservation Lower Zambezi’s Environmental Education Centre in the Lower Zambezi National Park. In Lusaka, educational materials will be distributed through Munda Wanga Wildlife Sanctuary.
South Luangwa Conservation Society is assisting with carnivore photographic surveys in remote areas, and collaborating with AWDC and ZAWA in efforts to identify and reduce areas which pose a high risk of snaring for wild dogs and other species.
Robin Pope Safaris is providing the project with a base camp at Nkwali in South Luangwa and helping with project logistics. The role of eco-tourism in raising the profile of the species is an important component of increasing the perceived value of wildlife in less developed countries.
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