PredatorBiologist

This is the latest news for research in South Luangwa. It appears that two packs are having productive puppy years in the vicinity of safari camps, and that over 80 individuals have been identified throughout the park. Also of interest is the large pack that I believe Dennis saw has had a split with the dispersing group moving over 100 km to the south. With 11 puppies surviving thus far in that pack it was a good time for that pack to spread. The link provides all the details as well as giving great incite into the difficulties of studying such wide ranging predators, including a pack moving dens 5 times.

http://www.awdczambia.org/ProjectUpdates.htm

skimmer

Pred,

Thanks for posting this link.

Greetings,

Johan

cooncat3

This is great. Thanks Bill!

napamatt

Thanks Pred. Love good news.

atravelynn

80! Thanks for the link. Will this encourage you to lead a dog group there again some day?

PredatorBiologist

Glad you all appreciate the news. This area is critical because it has the potential to link the eastern and southern populations if more corridors can be established.

Lynn: I would love to try again to lead a wild dog trip there. As the study progresses I think the denning areas will continue to become more evident and sightings should increase as well as the ability to track the dogs with better equipment. Unfortunately I'm not nearly as good a marketer as I am a biologist so I have trouble finding the clients. I may just try and go help Kellie with her research sometime in the future if I can ever get a head of my own work. Spending time with these dogs would be the fullfillment of a long pursued dream.

Roccco

PB,

Thanks for the update. How very exciting how well the wild dogs are doing there.

Oh, I can imagine some dandy itineraries to South Luangwa to take advantage of the wild dogs!

I really believe that South Luangwa is only going to improve with each and every year now that it is really on the map and attracting the interest of some of the major players. Of course, it will be great to also see the small independent operators thrive.

santharamhari

Thanks Pred,

Very informative link....and hope the wild dogs continue to flourish....fantastic!!!

Hari

santharamhari

Pred,

The weekly RPS newsletter, "it's Monday" has a detailed report on the dogs.

Hari

matnikstym

thanks Bill! there is a painted dog conservancy just outside of Hwange Main airport that is doing great work with orphaned dogs. we saw 8 wild dogs on the side of the road on the way to the airport, one with a collar then went to the compound and learned of their work and saw dogs they were rehabilitating. very interesting work is being done there. glad to hear that the 22 we saw in south luangwa are doing well.
Dennis

PredatorBiologist

Dennis: glad you caught this as I know how much you love that pack in S.L. Hwange seems to produce very high sighting rates for wild dogs, that's great that you saw them and visited the Painted Dog Conservancy. I hope you will include that experience in your report.