Identify

To Identify through research the problems facing Painted Dogs in Zimbabwe

To achieve this the following are undertaken.

Monitoring Packs by Collaring.

Packs are radio collared in order to identify behaviour patterns, hunting success, and causes of mortality in the different areas. Vulnerable packs are monitored closely and problems for those packs identified. Most importantly, landowners are made aware of the presence of the dogs and their movements, and problems real or imagined are tackled.

Packs that are most at risk by virtue of being in unsafe areas such as those close to the boundaries of National Parks or surviving outside the protection of National Parks altogether are being monitored. In order to keep track of a large number of individuals, a computerised photographic identity register has been compiled with the help of the public and tourists. Each dog, of this National Pack, being given an ID number and the movements of all dogs being recorded.

Monitoring Health of the Painted Dogs.

Samples (blood, faeces, and biopsies) are collected to enable screening for infectious diseases and paraciste loads. DNA samples are also taken at the same time. These data enable the

Capture and Collaring Techniques.

Research into refining and improving the success rate of capture techniques has also been undertaken.

This is particularly important in areas where dogs are perceived to be a problem. When these dogs are collared the ability to then manage them possibly by translocation greatly ameliorates the attitude of the stakeholder.

Dogs that are collared in conflict areas also have a greater chance of survival as more accurate information is received by the landowners, thus reducing the perpetuation of false and damaging informationwhich negatively affects the landowners' perceptions of the dogs. In conjunction with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management, successful reintroduction of dogs by translocation has been achieved. These dogs were monitored for two years post-release and they not only survived but also bred successfully.

Also in conjunction with management we are proud to have successfully integrated the first captive puppy into a wild pack. In tandem with this work, a study is underway to understand the developmental and social biology of the dogs to enhance the likelihood of captive stock being easily and successfully integrated into wild packs.In July 1999, Two new capture techniques were perfected, which are less invasive and have a higher success rate than traditional methods of capture and handling. These methods have represented a breakthrough in conservation for this species, as previously the ability to locate, capture and handle dogs in areas where they have been harassed has been difficult, often to the detriment of the dogs themselves.

The first new method involved the development of a unit, which is attached to a locking/breakaway snare, and without handling, dogs effectively fit themselves with a transmitter.

The second new method involves hand capture at night which, combined with rapid anaesthesia causing short term memory loss for the dogs, has shown to cause so little disturbance that despite capture of three dogs, the pack involved did not even move their den site after the capture.

Updated: 09 September 2007

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