Namibia's African wild dogs face extinction

African wild dogs are Namibia’s most critically endangered large carnivore, with an estimated population of less than 350 adults and sub-adults.According to a presentation by Nadja le Roux, project coordinator for the Kalahari African Wild Dog Conservation Trust (KAWDCT), less than 10% of the population live in national parks, and those outside the borders are highly persecuted.According to Le Roux, African wild dogs face several primary threats, including human-wildlife conflict arising from both perceived and actual predation on livestock as well as persecution at den sites. Additionally, they are threatened by factors such as prey loss, habitat destruction, road mortality, diseases, snaring, and secondary poisoning."Yearly records indicate that human-wildlife conflict has progressively increased. Lethal persecution can leave populations of this critically endangered species vulnerable to local extinction.""The presence and persecution of dogs were confirmed in the different conservancies through spoor and camera traps. Reports of human-wildlife conflict and destroyed dens were also investigated, indicating that there is an established population."Secret persecution Le Roux said very little is known about the status and ecology of African wild dogs outside of protected areas."Communities remain secretive about persecution. Dens are targeted, dug out to access puppies, used as bait to attract adults, trapped, killed, burned, and buried, and there are also intentional road mortalities.”She said habitat utilisation approaches, like home range analysis, help identify specific areas within a landscape that are normally used by an individual or species.They can also assist in identifying areas that require protection or advocate for changes in landscape management. She said the information gathered from radio tracking devices will help establish the main areas and/or pathways used by respective packs across the landscape."Understanding the linkages in the landscape that allow for the movement of species is important in the maintenance of ecological processes, including enabling migration or long-range movement and the exchange of individuals for gene flow."Benefit eventLe Roux stressed that Namibian free-ranging wild dogs contribute to the persistence of wild dogs within the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA).The TSU K9 Unit Namibia and the Kalahari African Wild Dog Conservation Project are hosting an exclusive fundraiser event at Yellowstone Trails in Windhoek on 26 August, in celebration of International African Wild Dog Day.The event will benefit African wild dog conservation and will feature guest speakers, including leading experts in the field, a silent auction, a K9 demonstration, a wine tasting hosted by Painted Wolf Wines, and a prize drawing.

Namibia's African wild dogs face extinction

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-24

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Namibia's African wild dogs face extinction

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-24

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