Relocation, Relocation
An initial group of three African Wild Dogs has been successfully translocated from Kafue National Park to Liuwa Plain National Park to help re-establish the species in the extraordinary Zambian landscape. With approximately 6,600 individuals left on the continent, this translocation, which was conducted in collaboration with Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), contributes to the long-term conservation of Wild Dogs in Zambia and aids in the ongoing restoration of Liuwa Plain, boosting its tourism profile.
“Zambia is one of only six remaining countries considered as strongholds for Wild Dogs on the entire continent. The return of this endangered species to Liuwa Plain forms part of the National Wild Dog Plan, enabling the government to conserve healthy populations of Wild Dogs”. Said Chuma Simukonda, the Director of Zambia’s DNPW.
Image courtesy of African Parks Network
The three Wild Dogs were carefully captured and transferred via aeroplane to Liuwa Plain, where they were released into a temporary boma, where they will remain for up to eight weeks to facilitate social bonding and to enable their acclimation prior to the release into the wider landscape. This initial group of females will be supplemented with additional male Wild Dogs in the coming weeks.
The translocation was made possible thanks to the generous financial support of Bob Kwan, and with technical and logistical support provided by the Zambian Carnivore Programme and The Endangered Wildlife Trust.
Image courtesy of African Parks Network
Update: 8th December 2021
African Parks Network is pleased to share that an additional eight African Wild Dogs have been successfully translocated to Liuwa Plain National Park in Zambia from the Waterberg in South Africa as part of an ongoing effort to re-establish the species in the park. The all-male group were transferred 1,700 km in a sedated state by aeroplane to Liuwa Plain, where they were released into a temporary boma adjacent to the three female wild dogs, which were translocated to the park in October.
All 11 wild dogs will remain in bomas for the next few weeks in order to facilitate social bonding and to enable their acclimation prior to their release into the wider landscape. With approximately 6,600 wild dogs left on the continent, this translocation, which was conducted in collaboration with Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife, contributes to the long-term conservation of Wild Dogs in Zambia and aids in the ongoing restoration of Liuwa Plain, boosting its tourism profile.
The new additions to the relocation initiative
